2011 Chevrolet Cruze RSGM
Dodge is debating a slightly more macho minivan version, telling dealers that it will likely offer a visually more aggressive people hauler to try to catch the eye of more male buyers, according to a recent report.
The tweaked Dodge would be based largely on the Caravan R/T concept shown at the Detroit auto show in 2008, reported the Wall Street Journal based on conversations with dealers and executives, even though Chrysler wouldn't officially confirm one way or another. But the report said dealers revealed the vehicle could be in showrooms in the next few months, suggesting that this would be a quick cosmetic option change, rather than a true performance minivan with more power, better handling and/or a lower ride height.
The Caravan R/T concept package reinforces the quick more-show-than-go upgrades, as it featured large Charger SRT8-like wheels, a hood scoop and red stitching on its leather seats. It was a far cry from the monster minivan engineering mule driven by current Dodge brand CEO and devoted performance enthusiast Ralph Gilles, the Montreal-raised executive who also oversees design for all of Chrysler's models.
The former Targa Newfoundland competitor was known to have piloted a Frankensteined Caravan with a Viper V10 engine stuffed under the hood, back in the days when Chrysler was so brash with confidence that it even put that monster engine in a motorcycle - and it didn't even build bikes, nor planned to do so.
With all-new minivan entries from Toyota and Honda for 2011 threatening to steal sales, headlines and profits from one of Chrysler Canada's main moneymakers, the company acknowledges that changes are coming to its minivans by the end of the year. But this will be in the form of a new Pentastar engine, a refreshed exterior for both Dodge and Chrysler versions, as well as an all-new interior, confirmed Chrysler Canada product communications manager Daniel Labre this week, saying further details would only be available closer to the end of 2010.
But Labre didn't deny that the so-called 'man van' could be available as a new trim level, nor the rumoured electric version of the Chrysler Town & Country for fleet testing, saying only that nothing was confirmed on either of those potential variants.
Chevy Cruze may be new GM's first market winner
Compact cars currently make up the top four best-selling cars in the country, and eight of the top 10, one of which is the Chevrolet Cobalt, which will be replaced in the market by the end of the summer. And a quick spin in its successor, the Chevrolet Cruze, suggests that this car may be the first from the new GM to mount a potential charge for that Canadian sales crown.
A modern, down-sized 1.4-litre turbo four engine makes about the same power as current compacts but promises class-leading fuel economy, thanks in part to an available six-speed automatic transmission. The manual Eco version promises a high of 5.0 L/100 km on the highway, although few will likely buy that version. It's the high level of refinement you notice right away, a trait that has long eluded GM compacts compared to its rivals, even when Chevy's compact Cavalier ruled the Canadian car sales charts prior to the Honda Civic's 10 year reign atop this chart.
The brief neighbourhood spin that I took recently of an early pre-production model is hardly enough to make a full evaluation, but it was enough to take a second glance at the equipment and options list in a new, more optimistic light. No prices are available yet, but standard will be 10 airbags (including side curtain, rear side, and front knee bags), electronic stability control with ABS, and electric power steering to save fuel, while optional goodies like a navi system, XM satellite radio, and Bluetooth will be available.
The Cruze doesn't have the visual spark of the Mazda3 (number two so far in 2010), although the uplevel RS does look much sharper than base models, but neither does the Civic, or the Corolla and Hyundai Elantra. And those cars are still third and fourth in overall car sales this year, respectively, according to figures compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants.
The big question will be how this Chevy Cruze will still stack up once the next-generation Civic and hot-looking Ford Focus arrive in 2011.
BMW to offer e-mails read to you
BMW will be the first auto maker to offer the ability to read e-mails to the driver from your Blackberry device this fall, although you'll need a new 3G Blackberry to make it work.
BMW already offers the ability to receive e-mails up on the infotainment screen, although the process is a bit unwieldy, and involves playing with your smart phone, which in many provinces is now illegal. But starting this fall, the BMW Assist program will offer access to those e-mails, stock quotes and news all through the main iDrive controller, as well as the new ability to read these e-mails aloud.
BMW Assist is available on most of the lineup outside of the 1 Series and navi-less 3 Series models, and the new Blackberry functionality will roll out with the new Pearl 3G, although it is promised to arrive on other Blackberries soon after. The voice output function, which is all part of BMW's ConnectedDrive system, may also be an optional extra - yes, an option on an option.
But if you spend large amounts of time in the car, or can't resist the urge to pull out the BB on the highway upon feeling that familiar buzz, this could be a major safety and convenience upgrade.
Kia Forte five-door coming
Kia Canada confirmed this week that a five-door version of the Forte will arrive here this autumn, to do battle with the likes of the Mazda3 Sport and Toyota Matrix.
Prices or interior dimensions have not yet been released, but photos of the hatchback suggest that it could be the most practical and arguably the best-looking version of Kia's new compact. It doesn't appear to be as long as the Hyundai Elantra wagon, with a tailgate that starts a few inches behind the trailing edge of the rear doors, suggesting that style triumphed over cargo room in the final design equation.
The name itself of the Forte 5-door has not been confirmed, although the Rio5 hatchback designation seems to point to Forte5 as a strong possibility.