Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Car Reviws

Car Reviws

2011 Lexus RX 450h, an AW Drivers Log:

Posted: 08 Feb 2011 05:47 AM PST

a front view of the Lexus RX 450h.
The hybrid powertrain of the Lexus RX 450h is rated at a total of 295 hp.

COPY EDITOR CYNTHIA L. OROSCO-WRIGHT: I've driven several hybrids now in my time at AW, and this has to be one of the most unimpressive. Don't get me wrong; the sheetmetal is nice, the interior materials are quality and the cabin is filled with lots of bells and whistles--things you'd probably expect from Lexus. But what is up with this drivetrain? You cannot take off from a light, get up an expressway ramp or even get out of your driveway with any kind of power. When you step on the gas to take off, if feels as if you're literally pushing the 450h to get moving. Once you get up to expressway speed or to cruising speeds around town, you're OK. But the minute you stop and have to take off again, forget it. That one thing alone would discourage me from buying this vehicle.

What did I like? As I mentioned, the cabin is a nice place to be and it presents well. The seats have good bolster and I was able to find a good driving position. The back seat looks to offer good legroom, and the cargo hold is pretty spacious. One good thing I noticed about this hybrid compared with others is that the brakes are not ultrasensitive. Now, if only Lexus could do something about the throttle.

MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: I'm surprised at how much I disliked this vehicle. Certainly it is a solid entry in this category in terms of utility and efficiency, but all of the little personal touches literally had me talking out loud, alone, in the RX muttering to myself about how displeased I was.

Subjectively speaking, the styling turns me off right from the get go, as I find it neither sporty nor elegant, but just clumsy and uninspired. Behind the wheel, I disagree with Orosco: The brakes are indeed difficult to modulate smoothly, leading at times to herky-jerky driving. The powertrain is efficient, but you definitely pay for the mileage in a performance let-down.

With all that said, nothing infuriated me more than the atrocious multimedia interface. I wanted to rip the entire center stack out of the dashboard, run over it and light it on fire with a flamethrower. This ill-conceived debacle makes similar systems from BMW, Audi, Mercedes, et al. feel like the most intuitive setups around. What's the main culprit? The asinine "mouse" control interface that moves an arrow around the display screen as if it's a computer monitor. Once you can actually get the arrow where you want it, you actually have to click a button on the side of the mouse. Hey Lexus, when I leave work and go for a drive, I don't want to continue to operate a PC on my way home, OK? It's been a long time since I was this infuriated at something like this. At one point, I got so frustrated from failing to click on what I wanted that I unleashed a 20-second tirade of expletives at 110 decibels while simultaneously punching myself in the face. I came to hate this RX right then and there.

2011 Lexus RX 450h

Base Price: $45,700

As-Tested Price: $54,414

Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6 hybrid; AWD, continuously variable transmission

Output: 245 hp @ 6,000 rpm (295 hp total system power), 234 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm

Curb Weight: 4,652 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 29/26.2 mpg

Options: Dual-screen rear-seat entertainment including navigation, DVD rear-seat entertainment with wireless headphones, audio/video inputs, 120V AC power outlet and navigation system with voice command, Lexus Enform with destination assist and eDestination, Lexus Insider, XM NavTraffic and NavWeather, backup camera and remote touch controller ($5,005); premium package including touch open/close moonroof, auto-dimming electrochromatic power heated outside mirrors, power rear door, MP3 miniplug with USB audio plug, driver's seat/steering wheel/mirror memory ($2,400); heated and ventilated front seats ($640); premium audio system for rear-seat entertainment ($610); cargo net ($59)

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid/M35h, an AW Flash Drive:

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 10:00 AM PST

a side view of the 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid.
The 2012 Infiniti M hybrid's powertrain has a combined output of 360 hp.

What is it?

This is the first application of Infiniti's new hybrid drivetrain, placed in a sportingly luxurious M37 sedan. To make an M hybrid, known on its trunk lid as the M35h, this car has a 3.5-liter V6 instead of the 3.7-liter from the M37, an electric motor/generator where the torque converter used to be and a 1.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack where half of the trunk used to be. Infiniti promises you'll get "V8 performance in a V6 engine with gas mileage like a four-cylinder."

The 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 is longitudinally mounted and drives the rear wheels. Combined with a 50-kilowatt electric motor, it produces a hybrid system net power of 360 hp. Transmission is a seven-speed automatic. (It has two clutches but is not a dual-clutch system in the traditional sense; the second clutch is at the back of the transmission and disengages to allow the motor/generator to start and stop the engine.) EPA mileage is 32 highway, 27 city and 29 combined.

What is it like to drive?

We drove it 34 miles through West Los Angeles traffic and, while we didn't really get to try out the full sports sedan part of the equation, it was at least a promising combination of luxury cachet and seemingly decent handling. A button on the center console allows you to switch driving modes: a fuel-sipping eco mode, which we absolutely couldn't stand because it felt as if there was a Coke bottle stuck under the gas pedal; a sport mode, which after our drive we felt should be the default position, and standard and snow modes.

We didn't get a chance to try out the 0-to-60-mph claim of less than six seconds, but we did learn that brake-torqueing a powertrain that shuts down at stoplights makes for a very awkward launch. Curb weight is 4,129 pounds, up 280 pounds from the M37 and 101 pounds more than the M56. So sub-six-second 0-to-60-mph runs seem at least plausible.

As for efficiency, the on-board computer showed that we got 23.2 mpg on our 33.7-mile morning drive through stop-and-go traffic. Gently feathering the throttle straight out of the parking lot, we only got three blocks before the internal-combustion engine kicked in, not the 1.2 miles Infiniti said it'll do, but that all varies depending on the battery pack's state of charge. The dashboard readout showed that we went 14.2 miles, or 42 percent of our 33.7-mile drive, on battery power.

Do I want it?

Do you want to pay $5,700 more and add 271 pounds to get 30 hp more and an additional 7 mpg? The V8-powered M56 has 420 hp and weighs 101 pounds less but costs $5,700 more and gives up 8 mpg. Juggle the numbers and see if you like them. No doubt for some, the "h" on the deck lid will be worth the cost of admission in eco chic.

As for driving, a more complete evaluation will be necessary before we can pass judgment on this sedan, but so far, so good.

It won't be too long before everything on the market is going to have some kind of mileage-stretching technology on it, to meet looming CAFE requirements. If this is the way carmakers are going to handle those challenges, the future might not be so bad.

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid

On Sale: Mid-March

Base Price: $52,200 (AW est based on Infiniti's hinting)

Drivetrain: 3.5-liter, 302-hp, 258-lb-ft V6; 50-kilowatt electric motor/generator; 360 hp hybrid system net power; RWD, seven-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4,129 lb

0-60 MPH: Less than 6 sec (mfr)

Fuel Economy (EPA): 27/32/29 mpg city/hwy/combined

2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL with Sport Package, an AW Drivers Log:

Posted: 07 Feb 2011 08:04 AM PST

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: I came away pleasantly surprised after my night in the Jetta. The exterior is considerably upgraded from the last model, and it's a somewhat fun car to push around. The angles and lines evident in the rocker panels and fenders give this car a much more athletic demeanor that that of its predecessor. The headlights are sharp and the taillights look like they were stolen from an Audi. It still looks like a Jetta, just one that's been hitting the gym and has a new wardrobe.

Still, the drive character is a bit blah. The 170-hp output is adequate; that's the best I can say. This is a car enthusiasts have to put effort into to wring the most out of it. That's fine, but without aggressive shifting, it's a sedate ride. The other side of that is the fuel economy is strong, and the fuel-gauge needle didn't even flinch on my 60-mile round-trip commute.

The steering is excessively light. Mainstream consumers might like this, but enthusiasts will yawn. The five-speed manual is flat-out easy to use. The clutch is soft and the shifting smooth and simple. I actually liked whipping through the gears more than I had to just to be overly involved and stimulated.

The acceleration isn't quick, though it's possible to fling this Jetta forward from launch if you stay in second gear. Speaking of that, if you want to pass with verve, you have to drop down to third. Going from fifth to fourth does absolutely nothing on the expressway.

The interior is clean, and the black setting makes this look chic. And the stereo rocks. Mix in some satisfying bite from the brakes and it's a decent driver. The price is reasonable considering the navigation, seat burners and looks.

I'd give it a B+ overall, and it's a car I wouldn't mind driving. You just have to create your own excitement via stick and pedal. With a slush box, this would be a snoozer.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I, too, came away impressed--I liked the car a lot better than I thought I would. This is the "dumbed-down-for-the-mainstream-American-buyer" model, which is VW's new strategy. Though I must say I disagree about the interior--I actually think the materials are worse (especially the dash), though fit is good and it's still better than 99 percent of the small cars out there. The seats are still best in class. The exterior is quite a bit duller than the old model's.

But the good news is that driving the Jetta is still the pleasant experience it's always been in my opinion, so it doesn't seem like VW skimped underneath in terms of cost-cutting. The car rides and handles as good as the old one did, and the 2.5-liter has plenty of guts, so it's a nice driver.

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER TARA KLEIN: This makes it three that walked away surprisingly impressed with this car. I had it for a weekend and was bummed on Monday to give it back. The exterior looks like it grew up and matured, in a good way, featuring more straight edges and modern lines. I can see the Jetta appealing to a larger audience because of its simple and uncomplicated appearance.

The shifting is incredibly smooth and a cinch to operate, resulting in an enjoyable ride.

I drove in some winter snow and slush, and I was pleased with the handling and the level of control as the white stuff piled up on the roads. I never once felt uncomfortable or stressed behind the wheel.

Speaking of comfort, the interior provided just that. The seats continually accommodated me and my passenger during my travels to pick up a motorcycle frame. The back seats had plenty of room, transporting overnight bags and a large motorcycle tank. The frame fit easily in the trunk, also with room to spare.

The simplified look of the exterior carried into the cabin, but it also featured luxuries such as the heated seats and a navigation system. Even though there could have been a better mix of materials, I think VW pulled off creating an upscale, updated interior with hard plastics.

The versatility, comfort and quality of the 2011 Jetta shouldn't disappoint, especially for the price.

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: There was a time when I thought the Jetta might be the car for me to buy. I remember nice interiors, small size and great peppiness. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since then.

From the moment I got into the car, it felt like it took me an eternity to find a comfortable driving position, and while moving dials and levers to get comfy, everything was so tight. It was as if my hands could barely fit in the spaces to make changes. The overall interior didn't feel fun and hip but bland, and it looks like the quality of materials has gone down from previous Jettas.

The exterior seems to have gone soft, too. It just blends in with so many other vehicles and doesn't stick out as much. Call it mainstream, but not everyone is into looking like everyone else.

When it comes to driving it, Greg nailed it when he said it felt "blah." I was expecting plenty of spunk, but that wasn't the case. Where is the power in this I5? As Greg said, passing on the expressway is a third-gear affair.

Overall, I can sum up my thoughts about the new Jetta in one word: disappointed.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta SEL with Sport Package

Base Price: $23,765

As-Tested Price: $23,765

Drivetrain: 2.5-liter I5; FWD, five-speed manual

Output: 170 hp @ 5,700 rpm, 177 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,018 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 27/26.7 mpg

Options: None

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