Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
97
;F;><:@I:L@K<M :?<MPMFCK
COOL CARS
for the
=@JB<IB8ID8
FUTURE D@E@<
COMPARED:
AUG 2009
US $4.99 UK £3.95
CAN $5.99
FERRARI CALIFORNIA
VS. MERCEDES-BENZ
SL63 AMG
If you want to see the future of
just look at where the E-Class
2010 E350 Sport Sedan shown in optional Capri Blue metallic paint with optional Premium 2 Package.*Excludes all options, taxes, title, regis., transportation charge and dealer prep. ©2009 SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. ©2009 Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
the automobile,
is today.
if necessary, with a system known as DISTRONIC PLUS. And every facet of its design is imbued
with purpose. Its flared fenders and flowing lines make for one of the most aerodynamic cars on
the road. An aggressive profile reveals performance characteristics to match, including suspension
that will adjust itself in milliseconds to perfectly adapt to changing driving dynamics. This is the
new E-Class. This is Mercedes-Benz. MBUSA.com/e-class
CONTENTS
38
HARDWARE DRIVE LINES
38 COMPARISON TEST 110 PREVIEW
WE HAVE LIFTOFF! 2010 LOTUS EVORA
Ferrari California vs. Mercedes-Benz Expanding the Lotus lore.
SL63 AMG. By Michael Austin By Dave VanderWerp
AUG
2009 3
M O R E T H A N SK I N D EEP.
2 010 B U I CK L ACR O S SE C XS Under the beauty lies the power of a 280-hp, 3.6L direct-injection V-6.
Available adaptive real time suspension damping and Sport mode adjust to the road and the way you drive —
performance features you won’t find on the Lexus ES 350 or Acura TL. Inside, enjoy Bluetooth ®* connectivity
and an optional hard drive with 10GB for your music. And the simplest and smartest in-vehicle navigation system,
OnStar’s Turn-by-Turn Navigation,** standard for one year. It’s more than just a pretty face. B U I C K .CO M
*Go to gm.com/bluetooth to find out which Bluetooth phones are compatible with the vehicle. **Turn-by-Turn not available in certain areas. Call 1-888-4ONSTAR
(466-7827) or visit onstar.com for details, system limitations and map coverage. ©2009 GM Corp. All rights reserved. OnStar®
VIDEO
2011 DODGE CIRCUIT EV
CARANDDRIVER.COM/CIRCUITEV
TESTED
PORSCHE 911 CARRERA
CARANDDRIVER.COM/911MANUAL
LONG TERM WRAP-UP:
2008 MAZDA CX-9 AWD
CARANDDRIVER.COM/LTMAZDACX9
Technology is dominated by those who
AUG 2009 | VOL. 55, NO. 2
manage what they do not understand.
—Murphy
AUG 2009
14 BACKFIRES
WAITING FOR GODOT’S CARS,
PANAMERA HATE MAIL, WHAT
DIRTY HARRY WOULD DO.
80 26
AFFORABLE NAVIGATION.
AUG
6 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
When the entire world is counting on you, it’s best to come prepared.
From fighting terrorism to tsunami relief efforts and humanitarian aid, no one is more
prepared to take on the challenges of the world than the U.S. Navy. To learn how you
can help make a difference in our world, visit navy.com or call 1-800-USA-NAVY.
SHANG
’EM HAI
WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR SHOW?
IT RELOCATED TO CHINA. PureONE oil and air filters
I
n April, Porsche flew only one rolling out its biggest,
me to China to witness flashiest stuff in Shanghai—
the unveiling of its new BMW and Mercedes launched
Panamera at the Shanghai their flagships there, too.
international auto show. Outside the show, I
Porsche’s accountants are expected Shanghai to look at
probably wondering why they least somewhat Maoist, but I
spent so much just to get a few of us there to run was kidding myself. Downtown
our fingers along the car’s flanks, but this was in boasts an extravagant amount
fact a good PR move. Photos do not do the car of landscaping and faux-Tuscan
justice—there is something hideously freakish architecture, with 3-series Purolator Classic
about the Panamera’s proportions as captured BMWs and Audi A6s on every oil and air filters
through the lens—and it takes some dedicated and corner. The neighborhood
serious walking around to begin to appreciate its around the show used to be
visuals. Also, the interior of the Panamera makes a complex of rice paddies a
other luxury-car cabins look like they came out of a decade ago; now it’s Orange
Gremlin. By the time I get to drive it, I know I’ll want County. Someone in our group
to harvest a couple of internal organs to buy one. said that China is trying to do
The Porsche stand occupied a small corner of in 10 years what it took the
the first building at the Shanghai New International West 100 years to accomplish.
Expo Centre on the Huangpu River, a body of I’d say they’re on track. I woke
water whose name accurately conveys the nature up on my second day there BreatheEASY cabin filters
of its olfactory affront. There were 11 buildings in wheezing and coughing as
total. Each contained a confusion of new-product though I’d smoked a carton of
hysteria (Chinese automaker Geely alone launched cigarettes in my sleep. Is there
22 vehicles here, and all of them evinced fit any surer sign of an economy
Who can you trust to protect
and finish to shame the yak carts Geely tried to hard at work?
pass off at Detroit just two years ago); warring, your engine’s oil? The air
contemporaneous press conferences blasting
your engine breathes? The
Chinese pop over loudspeakers aimed at rival Contemplating notions
booths like galleons; and a kind of fetid, sour- of the future and air quality, air you breathe inside your
cabbage smell that unified the whole. we’ve gotten into three cars
vehicle? Purolator PureONE,
These were only the press days, limited to this month that advance a
automotive writers, manufacturers’ reps, and VIPs, plausible vision of a cleaner Classic and BreatheEASY
but it was more crowded than this year’s Detroit American road [see “Driving
filters. No other brand keeps
show on its busiest public Saturday. It quickly the Future,” page 48]. They
became clear why Porsche pulled out of Detroit are the Chevy Volt, the Dodge damaging impurities from
and chose to reveal its most important and riskiest Circuit EV, and the Mini E.
you and your engine better
vehicle since the Cayenne in Shanghai. This is If EVs and plug-in hybrids
a car market poised to overtake ours. China has prove workable, affordable, than Purolator. Keep it Pure.
all our brands, plus some (Foton, Lifan, Chana, and popular, we’ll need a new
anyone?). They’ll sell six million passenger cars this grid, possibly nuclear-fed, to
year to our nine-million-something, with consumer power them. Something’s got
demand that is far from tapped out. Where better to counterbalance all that smog
©2009 Purolator Filters NA LLC, USA
to reveal the Panamera? And Porsche wasn’t the hovering over China. L
TM
.<0+,
COPY CHIEF Cora Weber ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Daniel V. Winter
PRODUCTION EDITOR Juli Burke ASSISTANT TECHNICAL EDITOR K.C. Colwell
COPY EDITOR Carolyn Pavia-Rauchman ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Susan Mathews
OVERSEAS CORRESPONDENTS Ray Hutton, Juergen Zoellter
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jerry Garrett, Fred M.H. Gregory, John Pearley Huffman, Steven Cole Smith,
Ted West, Barry Winfield, Bob Zeller
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Steve Austin, Rich Chenet, Bill Delaney, David Dewhurst, Richard Dole,
Tom Drew, Pippa Garner, Aaron Kiley, Randy Lorentzen, Bill Neale, Morgan Segal, Mike Valente, Kevin Wing
ROAD WARRIORS Dana Barton, Adam Feinberg, Charley M. Ladd, Zeb Sadiq
CARandDRIVER.com Executive Editor Mike Dushane; Senior Editors Erik Johnson, Mike Sutton;
Associate Editors Jared Gall, David Gluckman, Jon Yanca; Production Editor/Manager Scott L. Mosher;
Video Production Editor Thomas Adams; Assistant Analyst Jim Mitchell; Videographers Jim Marr,
Brad Rorabacher; Data Assistants Jordan Brown, Christopher Champion, Patrick Hoey, Jake Holmes,
Michael Paschke, Mark Quint, Eric Woodward; West Coast Bureau Steve Siler; Germany Bureau Jens Meiners
EDITORIAL OFFICE 1585 Eisenhower Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108; 734-971-3600
(=(03()3, 65 (337/65,:
Production Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diane Arlotta Director, Fulfillment Services . . . . .David C. Northridge
Production Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Krystofiak
MIDWEST/TEXAS
6ISITcaranddriver.com from 500 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60611
your phone’s web browser or 312-923-4800
text DRIVE to 44636 to get a Midwestern Advertising Director. . . Richard T. Bisbee
Sales Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Megan Johns
link via text message.
SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES:
ONLINE: customerservice-caranddriver.com
TELEPHONE: 800-289-9464
MAIL: Car and Driver, P.O. Box 52906
Boulder, Colorado 80322-2906
With an extra pain relieving booster, it’s ready to go to work faster than caplets
or tablets.* Why suffer any longer than you have to? EXPECT RELIEF FAST.
EXPECT WONDERS
BACKFIRES
looked at then, it didn’t get serious review nature depends on oil except for humans.
until 1956 when Studebaker’s director Not true for water or corn or the land that
of experimental engineering tested the switch grass grows on, which are essential
car and reported on it. The director’s for life—not just one animal or local
name: John Z. De Lorean . . . He didn’t ecosystem, LIFE! MILIND SHAH
like the Porsche effort and compared BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
it unfavorably with the comfort and ride
of the 1956 Studebaker Champion and WIDE WORLD OF
Commander”—Ed. FROOT LOOPS
In the May 2009 “Ask Us Anything,” Josh
Clemons asked, “What is the difference
between stowage and storage?” To which
you replied, “A w and an r.” Please. The
correct answer is, “Nothing, if you’re Elmer
Fudd.” GARY SMITH
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Lemme see if I can dig up a prize in the
men’s can for Best Letter. I’ll get back to
you—Ed.
TESLA SMOKE SCREEN
I’m accustomed to most of our fellow As to your last page [“This Car and Driver,”
citizens having no idea from where May 2009]: If attaching 2500 cameras
electricity comes or what it costs in terms to a van makes one an artist, I am a chef
of miles per kilowatt-hour or how any of because I can make microwave popcorn.
this is related to motoring efficiency. But I LYLE SCHROEDER
expect C/D to be better. CUMMING, GEORGIA
If the Tesla [May 2009] draws 32 amps Hey, could you send some of that
at 240 volts for 10 hours, this is about 77 popcorn to Smith?—Ed.
kilowatt-hours of energy. At the average
national price of 11 cents per kilowatt- About “The Ultimate Suburbia Machine”
hour, this is $8.47 per “fill-up,” not the $4 in the May 2009 Upfront section: Even if
[-to-$7 range] cited in your road test. It BMW puts 400 horses in its new Aztek,
would cost even more in California and I’m not buying one. CHRIS BIGNELL
run about $20 to recharge in high-priced NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Hawaii. Not much of a bargain. Plus,
unlike gasoline or diesel fuel, these prices Regarding “Up in Smoke” [Upfront, May
include no tax collections for highway- 2009]:
repair funds. But, as you say, if you have to Lots and lots of testing
ask how much a $100,000-plus car costs So very much ado.
to run, it’s not for you. The Tesla is not for I cannot help but wonder
me. MICHAEL P. RETHMAN What would Dirty Harry do?
K ANEOHE, HAWAII DON MITOLO
Sure, 77 kilowatt-hours costs $8.47, but CLAYTON, CALIFORNIA
the Tesla holds 53 and would therefore Pass the Fritos?—Ed. L
cost $5.83—Ed.
CARANDDRIVER.COM
YOUR OIL PROTECTS YOUR ENGINE
YOUR OIL?
3X
FRAM® EXTRA GUARD® DELIVERS 3 TIMES THE ENGINE PROTECTION
BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF LEADING ECONOMY FILTERS.*
When your oil breaks down, damaging dirt and particles can threaten the life of your engine.
A FRAM Extra Guard oil filter delivers advanced engine protection with specially blended
glass and cellulose filter media. FRAM Extra Guard traps 95% of dirt and harmful particles,
and holds them until your next recommended oil change. Don’t cut corners — go with FRAM.
ENGINE PROTECTION* To learn more about advanced engine protection, go to fram.com.
*Based on testing of models equivalent to PH8A 3387A and 6607 under ISO 4548-12 for particles > 20 microns.
Engine protection is the measure of a filter’s ability to not just trap dirt, but hold it for the life of the filter.
© 2009 Honeywell International Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. THE DIRT STOPS HERETM
PATRICK BEDARD
THOUGHTS ON
MY LAST DAY
WHAT I’VE SEEN IN MY FOUR DECADES
AT CAR AND DRIVER.
O
f course I remember the anxieties of my youth, World War II, and both companies serve as national employment
particularly the dread of getting old. At what agencies.
age would my hot laps slow to tepid? When When the British did their auto-themed employment agency, it
would the flirty chicks of spring look right past scraped together MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Rover, Land Rover, Morris,
my interested glances? Would I be like all the Austin, et al. under the British Leyland banner and burned through
other seniors outside Walgreens, stiffly easing $16.5 billion—that’s corrected into today’s money—turning a sig-
myself into my Grand Marquis? nificant 36-percent market share into a limping 15 percent before
Time passes, and along with it the urge for hot laps. I haven’t parting out the hulk in the Eighties.
felt it in the 25 years since my last Indy 500. To my happy surprise, Yes, though it failed in Britain, government money seems to have
graying femmes have more game than I knew. Only the Grand resuscitated the French and Italian names, but look around you—all
Marquis still gets a rise on my dread meter. of them once had showrooms in the U.S. I did road tests of their
In today’s lingo, I’ve moved on. And with this page, I’m moving models. Now they’re gone, too weak to compete here.
on from C/D and the press pass it gave me into the world of cars Show of hands, please: Who thinks Americans will line up for
more than 41 years ago. Fiats wearing Chrysler labels? Sure, if gas goes back to four bucks
It’s a world that never gets boring. Who could have predicted a gallon. But there’s a term for what happens to the economy at
the complete reversal that’s taken place in the auto industry on that point—rigor mortis.
my watch? In the Sixties, if you wanted the best car, you bought Imagine a future in which American brands can’t compete
American. From the standpoint of power, or comfort, or durability, against the foreigners on American soil. Actually, that’s where we
or style, Detroit made the best. If you wanted cheap, you bought are right now. I can imagine GM and Chrysler operating as public
an import. utilities—green jobs building Obama-mandated green cars. The
Forty years later, if you want the best—I’m speaking here of the government has already poured into Chrysler, or promised, a sum
general public perception of best—you buy an import, Toyota or that amounts to $314,000 per U.S. Chrysler employee, according
Honda, Mercedes or BMW, the list goes on. If you want cheap, look to the Journal. Who thinks the pouring will stop here? Why not just
to Detroit, inventor of the cash-back deal. The American industry won cut a quarter-million-dollar check for each of them and pull the
the race to the bottom, only now its cars won’t bring enough cash sheet up over the corpse?
in this relatively free market to keep the makers alive.
Cheap wasn’t the sole import attraction, of course. MGs, AM I BEING TOO GLOOMY AS MY
Triumphs, Alfas, and Austin-Healeys had style, enough of it
to inspire a social movement infused with its own etiquette. CLOCK RUNS DOWN? ACTUALLY, I
Example: If the driver of a lowly bug-eye Sprite waved to an REMAIN THE COCKEYED OPTIMIST.
XK120, was the Jag driver obligated to wave back? And let’s not
forget the magazine called Sports Cars Illustrated, the forerunner
of Car and Driver. I kept a stack of dog-eared SCI copies handy in Am I being too gloomy as my clock runs down? Actually, I remain
college to distract from thermodynamics assignments, and when the cockeyed optimist. When I sat down in this chair in 1967, the
I packed my diploma and a few belongings after graduation and knee-jerkers were already saying that the internal-combustion
headed for the engineering halls of Chrysler, they all fit in my very engine had to go—too ancient, too dirty. In fact, the California Senate
own sports car, a flawed yet much loved 1960 Sunbeam Alpine. outlawed it, effective with the 1970 models, but the House demurred.
As a young man, I thought style was essential. Now I think it Now the old chuffer is almost unrecognizable in its youthful vigor.
can be endearing, even amusing, but it’s perishable, too. Quality, Direct injection, just a dream 20 years ago, is becoming common,
rock-solid reliability, and dependable service are what keep the bringing with it up to 10-percent improvements in fuel efficiency.
customers coming back year after year. The imports came from In another 10 years, we’ll start driving homogenous-charge com-
behind and now control that game. pression-ignition engines—a big step toward matching diesel fuel
As the Obama administration steps in, dictates business plans to efficiency but much cleaner and cheaper.
GM and Chrysler, and opens the U.S. Treasury to them (I write this in Hey, I’m not the official cheering section for the 130-some-year-
early May), my hands rise involuntarily to cover my eyes. I’ve seen this old internal-combustion engine. My loyalty is to what works. But the
before. I think of D.O. Cozzi, our European correspondent circa 1970, progress in that old piston engine shows something that’s beyond
and his scorn for Alfa Romeo. “A government employment agency,” argument. Man is the cleverest of the critters. Have some patience,
he maintained. A government-sponsored marriage with Fiat, itself set up the necessary incentives, lay on the teraflops, and mankind
never far from the Italian state, keeps the name alive today. will dazzle you with invention.
The French auto industry consists of Renault and PSA (Peugeot Patience is the key. Costs come down pennies at a time. There’s
and Citroën). “Both have taken money” from the government, the no market for miracles people can’t afford.
Wall Street Journal says delicately. Actually, Renault hasn’t been So much fascinating material, so little white space. Listen. They’re
able to go to the bathroom without government permission since cueing up the fat lady . . . L
AUG
18 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
MONUMENTAL MOMENTS IN HISTORY
ROAD-TESTING
A RELATIONSHIP
FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS RIDE ALONG.
T
here’s a guy in my town—I’m gonna call him “Son of a bitch,” Wes said.
Wes ’cause that’s his name—who for years has I drove the Cube toward I-94. Wes didn’t realize what was coming
asked to ride with me while I test a car. “You’ll until we were already on the entrance ramp.
be so bored you’ll cry,” I warned. All he said was, “How far?”
“I’ll only cry if you don’t take me,” Wes “Fifty miles minimum.”
replied. He lowered his seatback and stared at the headliner. We passed
I promised he could ride in the next car I an 18-wheeler. “That trucker just looked down and laughed at us,”
was assigned. Turned out it was a Nissan Cube S [May 2009], which Wes said. “With one flick of his steering wheel, he coulda crushed
was, for Wes, the first of several major disappointments. us.” He said this as if it might not be an awful outcome. Then he
“This car doesn’t look fast,” he said. “You shoulda got, like, the tried to turn on the radio. I slapped his hand. “Not while I’m test-
AMG version.” ing,” I said.
“Listen to me. If you want to ride along, you can’t eat, speak, or He picked up my notebook and said, “Okay, tell me what you’re
offer any personal opinions, okay?” thinking, and I’ll write notes for you. Might speed things up.”
“I think you’d be a better road tester if you weren’t so uptight,” I spoke about tracking, ride, wind noise, seat comfort, and the
Wes said. Cube’s susceptibility to crosswinds. When I later looked for those
“Right there, see, that’s a personal opinion.” Then I began meas- notes, all I found was a large, detailed sketch of a bearded person’s
uring interior spaces, door openings, and the lengths the seats face whose nose was a prominent item of male genitalia.
traveled on their tracks. Wes sighed, then walked into my house to “Tiger won’t win at Augusta,” Wes said as we passed the Velvet
help himself to a bottle of iced tea. When he returned, he placed Touch adult bookstore off I-94.
the bottle’s metal lid in the center console. I picked it up as if it were “Stop it.”
a lump of opossum excrement and flipped it into a garbage can. “This car is so slow, what I’d do is put a small-block Chevy in
“That will rattle,” I explained. it.”
“I think you’re rattled,” he said. “I’m warning you.”
We hit the road. I drove to a nearby cul-de-sac, stopped, turned “These seats make my jeans ride up my ass crack.”
off the heater fan, and made a note about idle quality. I couldn’t take any more, so I turned the Cube around and headed
“We’re not moving,” Wes observed. Then, with the car in first for our handling loop. Wes needed to hear tires howl. I drove down
gear, I slowly let out the clutch two or three times to judge its heft the twistiest road as fast as I could, which wasn’t very, given the
and takeup. Cube’s body roll, understeer, and 122 horsepower. Along the way, I
“Wow,” said Wes. “Real speed. What was that, two miles per pulled over three times to take notes. “This is ruining your lap times,”
hour? Four?” said Wes. “But I loved that 90-degree turn back there. I bet if you
I shifted into second and, from rest, floored the throttle. We lugged went faster, we’d tip over.”
away as I focused on power-band valleys and peaks. “Rolling press cars is bad for your career,” I told him.
“As a drag-racing fan,” said Wes, “I can tell you it’s faster to start “It is?” He seemed surprised that C/D didn’t wreck one or two
in first gear.” cars per week.
Driving at legal speeds, I concentrated on what I pretentiously I stopped at a roadside rest area so Wes could pitch his bottle.
explained to Wes were “vital dynamic properties.” I noted the steer- When he returned, I pointed out the Cube’s asymmetrical rear quar-
ing’s weight and accuracy, the shift quality, and the throttle tip-in. ter-panels and its skewed backlight.
These tests were invisible to Wes. He began sifting through the Wes stroked his chin. “This car,” he said, “looks like a cargo
contents of the glove box. container hit by a bus.”
“You don’t get an owner’s manual with one of these things?” he I performed a couple of panic stops from 60 mph. Wes enjoyed
asked, all huffy. Iced tea gone, Wes attempted to store the empty this, then looked over his shoulder to see if we’d left any skid marks.
bottle in the center console. I held up a warning finger. He tucked Another disappointment.
the bottle between his legs. “If you see a trash can, is all I’m asking,” Wes noticed that the Cube’s cargo door opened from right to left.
he muttered. “Plus, I could use a restroom before we get into the “If you carried two-by-fours,” he said, “you’d have to leave that door
fast stuff. Like top speed.” hangin’ out there in the wind. Let’s try it, see if it gets torn off.”
“We did top speed yesterday—111 mph at Chrysler proving “I’m not getting much done here.”
ground,” I said. “You keep stopping is why.” Then he reached over to twist the
“That’s all? My dad, he had, like, a ’70 GTO that would do 111 stalk that activates the stubby rear wiper. I tried to smack his hand
probably in second gear, and after that, he bought a . . .” I raised the again, but he quickly withdrew it. That’s how he knocked the shifter
warning finger again. Wes started fingering the 3-D circles in the out of third and into neutral. “I suppose you’re gonna write about
Cube’s headliner. “That dome light,” he said, “it should be round, that, too,” he muttered.
not square.” Then he began struggling to remove the headrest from “Wes,” I said, “have you ever been handcuffed to a tree?” He
his own seat. It got sideways and wedged cockeyed in its mounts. said he was hungry. L
AUG
20 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
DAVID E. DAVIS JR.
PITILESS ADVICE
FOR THIS RATTNER
BLOW UP CARB, HANG DRUNKS, PASS A GAS TAX.
A
s part of his strategy to make the United States and shrinking community just across the Detroit River from Canada,
more like Sweden, our president has estab- the cars would have been more varied and more interesting. They
lished an automotive task force of which he were more interesting when we had automobile companies in Buf-
is chief executive officer, and a Mr. Steven falo and Springfield and Cleveland and South Bend and Indianapolis.
Rattner is, at least for the time being, chief The success of imported cars flowing in from the four corners of the
operating officer. Within minutes of their take- world tends to support my argument.
over, everything in the automobile business As prospective car czar, I have a few first thoughts:
suddenly got unimaginably worse. N We should wipe out the California Air Resources Board as redun-
In all this madcap fun, nobody saw fit to offer me the job Mr. dant to the national effort in this area and immediately establish a
Rattner got. Although it appears the position will again become Los Alamos–type team to bring European clean-diesel technology
available, my phone is not ringing, and I feel terrible about it. In all to this country. The Bosch people have been doing good work in
modesty, I can only say that I would be a goddamn great car czar. I this area, and they should be encouraged. Diesel fuel should also
have the white hair that distinguishes all famous statesmen. I have be price-controlled at parity with gasoline. I recently drove a Volks-
the gift of gab, passed down from my father’s Welsh ancestors. I am wagen Jetta turbo-diesel to Florida and back and never achieved
a journalist, which is the same as saying that I am always correct in less than 39 mpg, or 565 miles on a tank of fuel.
my judgments and I never lie. Finally, I love cars, pure and simple, N Most of the world’s major car companies have built factories in
which sets me apart from all of the people in our nation’s capital the United States, usually in southern anti-union states in order to
who are currently clamoring to be heard in the debates about and avoid the high cost of doing business with the United Automobile
against the automobile. Workers. If any of them have gone broke recently, it wasn’t on my
If I were car czar, I would strongly suggest that we can have television. We must stop the flow of jobs to China and other coun-
no national automotive policy until we have fully comprehensive tries who light cigars with our money and wonder why we’re such
transportation and energy policies. This is serious business. We easy marks. No more. There are too many empty factories and too
desperately need high-speed transcontinental trains based on the many trained American workers out of work. If you’re going to sell
European and Japanese models, just as we need some modern ver- ’em here, you’d better build ’em here.
sion of the old interurban rail systems. If it is left to the present Con- N We need truly draconian laws against drunk driving. A hit-and-run
gress, we’ll get the best thinking of the eco-nazis, the safety nazis, death by a drunk driver should be treated as murder. Chronic drunks
the California Air Resources Board, Speaker of the House Nancy should be denied driving privileges for life.
Pelosi, and the Biosphere 2 people. For the good of the
nation and its citizens, these clowns should be kept as MY PHONE IS NOT RINGING, AND I FEEL
far from our automobiles as is politically possible.
We have a vast pool of automotive talent in this TERRIBLE ABOUT IT. I WOULD BE A
country, but far too many of those talented engineers GODDAMN GREAT CAR CZAR.
and designers work outside the so-called Big Three
because the companies have been hamstrung by
creaking, bloodless bureaucracies. Chrysler broke free of the N Cell-phone use should be restricted to passengers in motor vehi-
bureaucrats’ dead hand in the years before it made its deal with cles. A driver who needs to make or accept a call should simply
the devil and sold out to Daimler-Benz. Chrysler was free-spirited stop at the first opportunity and chat for as long he or she wishes.
and freewheeling, and it was building cars more cost-effectively than Cell-phone use accounts for some of the most flagrant bad driving
Ford or GM, but the dream-team management went their separate on our roads today.
ways, the German bureaucracy took over, and all that was left were N It begins to look as though we’ll be at war with someone or other
the walking wounded. for the foreseeable future. Therefore, we should levy a one-dollar
Automobiles should be fun, and they should be pleasantly arrest- war tax on every gallon of gasoline sold in the United States. It would
ing in appearance. They should be big enough or small enough result in a huge revenue bump, immediately cut accident rates and
to successfully perform the tasks assigned to them. We live in a highway congestion, and get consumers thinking about more fuel-
nation blessed with an extensive road net, but those roads are not efficient cars. It might even bring home to us average citizens the
adequately maintained, nor are the bridges, overpasses, and other high cost of modern warfare. And, I might add, if one looks at what
infrastructure that allow those roads to reach 4000 miles from corner is presently available in the Yaris-Versa-Fit-Focus-Cobalt range, it’s
to corner of this great American rectangle. pretty impressive.
The automotive constituency in this country is too varied and N And as long as our president sees fit to be driven from place to
unpredictable to embrace any kind of centrally planned cookie-cutter place in an armored General Motors truck with Cadillac limousine
cars. I’ve always believed that if Detroit’s output had come from the bodywork, everybody should just shut up about the unspeakable
four corners of the country rather than that single, somewhat isolated thoughtlessness of SUV owners. L
AUG
22 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
CONNECTED THROUGH AGRICULTURE.
Through agriculture, we’re all connected in some way. And from the farm to the city, it’s
advanced agricultural innovation that gives us even better ways to provide for one another.
Introducing the Genuity™ brand, Monsanto’s new family of traits across corn, soybean, cotton
and specialty crops. It’s the proven trait performance of today and the trait opportunities of
tomorrow – so farmers can do what they do best, even better.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Genuity™, Genuity and Design™ and Farming Advanced.™ are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2009 Monsanto Company. www.genuity.com
The Hyundai Genesis—2009 North American Car of the Year.
Think About It
UPFRONT AUG
PAGE 31 HEARING VOICES:
ACTORS WHO SPEAK FOR CARS.
PAGE 33 FAREWELL NOTE:
2009
WE REVEAL OUR FAVORITE PONTIACS.
PAGE 34 HOW TORQUE VECTORING
IS LIKE PADDLING A CANOE.
BMW BETS ON 3
NEW VARIATIONS ON THE POPULAR LINEUP ARE COMING.
BY JUERGEN ZOELLTER PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY YOSHI G
CLEAN OUT UP TO 15% OF SLUDGE IN THE 1ST CHANGE *. Nothing feels better than a
clean-running engine. But over time, sludgy deposits can rob you of that clean feeling. So choose an oil that’s packed
with active cleansing agents that not only help prevent sludge,
they clean out up to 15% of sludge in your first oil change.
Time for an oil change? Change with Pennzoil® and Feel The
Clean. Learn more at Pennzoil.com.
UPFRONT
A GAME THAT
GOES AFTER YOU
DENIS LEARY JAMES SPADER Sutherland’s Calvin Jarrett What has your racing experience
THE VOICE OF: THE VOICE OF: Acura in Ordinary People, brought to the game?
Ford F-150 MOST MEMORABLE maintains an air of One thing we noted was that in all the
MOST MEMORABLE ROLE: Alan Shore, comforting calmness and other games, the computer driver never
ROLE: Tommy Gavin, Boston Legal a proclivity for cable-knit strays from a single line. The computer
Rescue Me THE MAN AND cardigans. never makes mistakes, and when it over-
THE MAN AND THE THE BRAND: Both takes, it’s pretty uninteresting. We wanted
BRAND: Both tough. technically advanced and JAMES REMAR a game where the computer could lock
Both working class. Both performance oriented, but THE VOICE OF: Lexus up brakes, where it could make mistakes,
proud to be American. But Spader sometimes gets MOST MEMORABLE where it would go after you if you’d gone
remember “quiet steel”? lost in the weirdness, kind ROLE: Harry Morgan, after it, so we have a very different type
There ends the connection. of like the TL’s styling. Dexter of approach to AI, which I think is paying
THE MAN AND THE off. The computer opponent will push you
MATT DILLON JEFF BRIDGES BRAND: Much like how off if you push it; if you’re behind it and
THE VOICE OF: Pontiac THE VOICE OF: Hyundai the IS F put the brand’s you’re stressing it, it’s much more likely to
MOST MEMORABLE MOST MEMORABLE performance credentials make a mistake, just like real life.
ROLE: Bob, Drugstore ROLE: The Dude, The Big on the map, Showtime’s What sets Shift apart from other
Cowboy Lebowski Dexter did so for Remar. established simulators?
THE MAN AND THE THE MAN AND THE Both command a premium. I think the biggest difference is the fact
BRAND: Both starred in BRAND: This voice shilling that just because it’s an authentic game
variations of Crash. anything but a ’73 Gran KEVIN SPACEY doesn’t mean that it’s hard to play. Shift is
Torino in a San Fernando THE VOICE OF: Honda easy for most people to just pick up and
RICHARD THOMAS Valley used-car lot just MOST MEMORABLE play, while the other games have a much
THE VOICE OF: doesn’t sit well with us. ROLE: Tie between Lester steeper learning curve. If you want to go
Mercedes-Benz Burnham, American to hard-core simulation, you can access
MOST MEMORABLE DONALD Beauty and Roger “Verbal” the pro mode, which has all that.
ROLE: John Boy SUTHERLAND Kint, The Usual Suspects
Walton, The Waltons THE VOICE OF: Volvo THE MAN AND THE Are you aware that EA put out a Car
THE MAN AND THE MOST MEMORABLE BRAND: Like Honda, and Driver game in 1992?
BRAND: Iconic, resolute, ROLE: Captain “Hawkeye” Spacey’s strong reputation No. Was it good?
and trustworthy—the big Pierce, M*A*S*H and independent streak For its time? No.
brother we all wanted to THE MAN AND THE have kept box-office sales —David Gluckman
grow up with. BRAND: Volvo, like high.
AUG
CARANDDRIVER.COM 2009 31
HOW TO:
DONKEY SHOW
RUN THE CORKSCREW
The Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
WHAT’S A “DONKEY
SHOW”? IT’S WHAT FOB
JOB
YOUR FRATERNITY
is one of the most iconic corners in the world, BROTHERS CLAIM
THEY WITNESSED ONE
a unique left-right combination that’s notable for the DRUNKEN NIGHT IN
precipitous drop between its two main elements. It was TIJUANA. BUT
WE’RE NOT BUYING IT.
also the scene of one of the most thrilling passes in auto
racing, when Alex Zanardi somehow divebombed Bryan
Herta on the last lap of the 1996 Champ Car race. It’s
CAN THIEVES STEAL YOUR
such a distinctive corner that racers around the world KEYLESS-ENTRY CODES?
always ask those who’ve driven there, “What’s it like? ”
1 THE SETUP
2
brakes before the brow, then bury the Then, they use their equipment to
pedal once the road has flattened. THE EASY BIT unlock your car using the stolen code.
All together now: Donkey show!
AUG
32 2009
UPFRONT
AUG
2009 33
TECH BMW’S WHEEL
DEPT. TORQUE-VECTORING SYSTEM
NEW SUV DIFFERENTIAL WORKS TO PERK UP HANDLING.
#.8μT²%ZOBNJD1FSGPSNBODF$PO IPXFWFS
UIFDPNQVUFS²QBEEMFT³IBSEFS BDUVBMMZ TQJO QFSDFOU GBTUFS 0O ESZ
USPM³UPSRVFWFDUPSJOHTZTUFNDBOCF POPOFTJEFUPIFMQTUFFS)PX QBWFNFOU
UIFPJMCBUIFEDMVUDIQMBUFT±
TVNNFEVQJOUXPXPSETSBEJOEJWJEVFMMF #.8μTSFBSEJGGFSFOUJBM
TVQQMJFECZ XIJDI OFWFS GVMMZ MPDL±DBOμU TQJO UIF
NPNFOUFOWFSUFJMVOH(PUJU (FSNBONBLFS(,/%SJWFMJOF
IBTBQMBO XIFFMBOZGBTUFS5IFZPOMZUSBOTGFSBQFS
²8IFFMUPSRVFWFDUPSJOH³JTBCPVUHJW FUBSZHFBSTFUPOFJUIFSTJEF
FOHBHFEUPUIF DFOUBHFPGUIFUPSRVF
²KVTUBQVTI
³TBZT
JOHQPVOE467T±UIFOFX#.89 XIFFMTUISPVHINPUPSPQFSBUFEDMVUDIFT (,/μT5IFPEPS(BTTNBOO
NBOBHFSPG
.BOE9<TFFQBHF>±TPNFPGUIFBHJMF $SVJTJOH TUSBJHIU
UIF DMVUDIFT SFNBJO BEWBODFEFOHJOFFSJOH5IBUQVTIPOUIF
WJCFPGPUIFS6MUJNBUF%SJWJOH.BDIJOFT PQFOBOEUIFSFBSXIFFMTSFDFJWFFRVBM PVUTJEFXIFFMJTFOPVHIUPIFMQUIFCJH
$BSTCFIBWFOPUVOMJLFDBOPFT
XIJDI UPSRVF 5IF DPNQVUFS XBUDIFT TUFFSJOH 467TDBSWFBGJFSDFSMJOF
UVSONPSFTIBSQMZJGZPVESBHBOPBSPOPOF BOHMF
UISPUUMFQPTJUJPO
ZBXTFOTPST
BOE "DVSBμT ²4VQFS )BOEMJOH "MM8IFFM
TJEFPSQVMMIBSEFSPOUIFPUIFS8JUIBDBS
TPPO4UFFSJOUPBDPSOFS
BOEUIFDMVUDI %SJWF³BMTPIBTQMBOFUBSZHFBST
CVUJUμT
UIFTUBCJMJUZDPOUSPMTBQQMJFTESBH
PSCSBLF DPOUSPMMJOHUIFPVUTJEFHFBSTFUDMPTFT B QBSUUJNF TZTUFN BOE POMZ QJUDIFT JO
GPSDF
UPJOEJWJEVBMXIFFMTUPWFFSUIFDBS 5IFSBUJPQMBOFUBSZHFBSTFUTNFBO POBDDFMFSBUJPO#.8μTGVMMUJNFTZTUFN
BXBZGSPNEJTBTUFS8JUIUPSRVFWFDUPSJOH
UIBUPOTMJDLJDF
UIFPVUTJEFXIFFMXPVME XPSLTVOEFSEFDFMFSBUJPOBTXFMM
AUG
34 2009
IT’S HARD NOT TO GIVE IN
TO YOUR MUSTANG SIDE.
EVEN IF YOU’RE LEGALLY BLIND.
ROGER KEENEY LOST HIS SIGHT 20 YEARS AGO. BUT THAT DIDN’T STOP
HIM FROM UNLEASHING HIS MUSTANG SIDE IN A NEW 2010 MUSTANG.
SEE THINGS FROM HIS POINT OF VIEW AT THE2010MUSTANG.COM.
COMPARISON TEST
WE HAVE LIFTOFF!
FERRARI FINALLY SUCCUMBS TO THE MARKET APPEAL OF
A FRONT-ENGINE V-8 IN A FOLDING-HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE—DESPITE
A NEFARIOUS WEIGHT GAIN. IN DOING SO, IT INVITES A FACE-OFF WITH
ANOTHER PRIME ‘TROPHY CAR,’ THE MERCEDES-BENZ SL63 AMG.
BY MICHAEL AUSTIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREAS LINDLAHR
AUG
38 2009
'PSZFBSTXIJMF+BHVBST
#.8T
SFBMNPG'FSSBSJμTTQPSUTDBSBNCJUJPOT CFUXFFOUIFFOHJOFBOEUIFTFWFOTQFFE
BOE$BEJMMBDTIBWFDPNFBOEHPOF
4PUIFPWFSMBQJOQSJDF±UIF$BMJGPSOJBμT BVUPNBUJDUSBOTNJTTJPO5IF4-".(
UIF.FSDFEFT#FO[4-IBTCFFOUIF CBTFQSJDFPG
JTPOMZ
MFTT XIJDITUBSUTBU
NJHIUCFDMPTFS
LJOH PG UIF USPQIZDBS DPOWFSUJCMFT±UIF UIBOUIFDPOWFSUJCMF'4QJEFSμT±JTOμU JOQSJDFUPUIF'FSSBSJ
CVUUIFNBOJBDBM
TPSU PG DBS UIBU OPU POMZ TBZT JUT PXOFS TVQQPTFEUPCFBQSPCMFN
CVUTPNFTBMFT QPXFSPGJUTUXJOUVSCP7BOEUIFFYUSB
IBTBSSJWFECVUUIBUIFμTCFFOBSPVOEGPS DBOOJCBMJ[BUJPOJTUPCFFYQFDUFE IFGUPWFSUIFGSPOUXIFFMTJOUIF4-NBLF
BXIJMF "MTPJOFWJUBCMFBSFDPNQBSJTPOTXJUI UIF4-BNPSFNBOBHFBCMFBOEFOKPZBCMF
'FSSBSJμTMBUFTUPGGFSJOH
UIF$BMJGPSOJB
PUIFSDBSTJOUIFTFHNFOU
FWFOJGQPUFO DBSUPESJWF1MVT
UIF4-μTPVUQVUPG
VTFTUIFUFNQMBUFPGUIFMBUFTUHFOFSBUJPO4- UJBMPXOFSTNPSFMJLFMZDSPTTTIPQUIFJS IPSTFQPXFSJTDMPTFSUPUIF$BMJGPSOJBμT
BGPMEJOHIBSEUPQDPOWFSUJCMFBOEBUSBOT QVSDIBTFTXJUIIFMJDPQUFSTPSHPMEQMBUFE QPOJFT
NJTTJPOUIBUEPFTXJUIPVUBDMVUDIQFEBM IPWFSDSBGU5IJTCSJOHTVTUPUIF.FSDFEFT 0OQBQFS
JUμTBQSFUUZFWFONBUDIVQ
'FSSBSJJTQPTJUJPOJOHUIF$BMJGPSOJBBTB #FO[4-
SFDFOUMZVQEBUFEGPSXJUI "OEBGUFSUXPEBZTPGESJWJOHJO#BWBSJB
MFTTFYQFOTJWFDPNQBOJPOUPUIF(5#BOE SFWJTFETUZMJOH
BOFX GPSUIF4-
MJUFS OFJUIFSDBSTUPPEPVUBTDMFBSMZTVQFSJPS
4DBHMJFUUJHSBOEUPVSFST
MFBWJOHUIFNJE 7
BOEBTIJGUUJNFIBTUFOJOHNVMUJQMBUF 4P
QJDLJOHBXJOOFSXBTBTEJGGJDVMUBT
FOHJOFE'UPSFQSFTFOUUIFIBSEFSFEHFE DMVUDI JO QMBDF PG B UPSRVF DPOWFSUFS
HJWJOHCBDLUIFLFZTBUPVSUFTUμTFOE
AUG
2009 39
COMPARISON TEST TROPHY CARS
OCTANE RATING
FRONT TRACK
(cu ft) (cu ft)
REAR TRACK
WHEELBASE
VEHICLE
AS TESTED
CURB (lb)
% FRONT
% REAR
LENGTH
HEIGHT
WIDTH
FRONT
DOWN
REAR
BASE
TOP
TOP
UP
FERRARI
CALIFORNIA
$197,350 $222,974 179.6 74.9 51.5 105.1 64.2 63.2 4123 46.5 53.5 20.6 93 52 23 12 8
MERCEDES-BENZ
SL63 AMG
$138,475 $160,140 178.5 71.5 51.0 100.8 61.8 61.1 4431 51.3 48.7 21.1 91 53 — 10 7
2
5IJT WFSTJPO PG UIF 4- EFCVUFE JO 5IJTJTUIFPOMZ.FSDFEFTXJUIMBVODI
MERCEDES-BENZ
BOESFHVMBSVQEBUFTIBWFLFQU DPOUSPM
BDUJWBUFECZB/"4"MFWFMDIFDL
SL63 AMG JUGFFMJOHGSFTI"GUFSTFWFOZFBST
UIPVHI
JUμTMPPLJOHWFSZGBNJMJBS
FWFOXJUIUIF
MJTUTUBCJMJUZDPOUSPMJOTQPSUNPEF
CSBLF
QFEBMGVMMZQSFTTFE
USBOTNJTTJPOTFMFDUPS
THE HIGHS BHHSFTTJWFMZ GBDFMJGUFE OPTF "OE UIF LOPCSPUBUFEPOFDMJDLDMPDLXJTFGSPNNBO
Tons of low-end torque, loaded with TDPPQT
TQPJMFST
BOEGFOEFSTUIBUEJTUJO VBMNPEF
SJHIUTIJGUQBEEMFUSJHHFSFE
NBTI
luxury, slick in all of its operations. HVJTIUIF".(NPEFMSFNJOEVTPGDFMFC UIFHBT5IFSFWTDMJNCUP3FMFBTFUIF
SJUZGBDFTUIBUIBWFHPOFVOEFSUIFLOJGF CSBLFQFEBM
BOEUIF4-UBLFTPGGXJUI
THE LOWS POFUJNFUPPNBOZ BMJHIUDIJSQPGUIFSFBSUJSFT"TMPOHBT
5IF4-μTCBTFQSJDFPG
JTUIF UIF HBT QFEBM SFNBJOT GMPPSFE
SFEMJOF
Like a cougar, a face lift and a body kit DIFBQFTUXBZUPBDRVJSFPOFPGUIFUISFF TIJGUTBSFBVUPNBUFE5IFSFTVMUJTB
can’t hide an aging exterior; somewhat BWBJMBCMF4-NPEFMT
#MBDL4FSJFT
TFDPOEUPUJNFBOEBRVBSUFSNJMFJO
vague on-center steering feel. GSPN".(
XIJDIJT.FSDFEFTμIJHIQFS TFDPOETBUNQI*UμTCBSFMZTMPXFS
GPSNBODFUVOJOHPGGJDF5IJTMFBTUQPXFS UIBOUIF'FSSBSJ±EFTQJUFUIF#FO[μTCFUUFS
THE VERDICT GVMPOFQSPEVDFTIPSTFQPXFSBOE QPXFSUPXFJHIUSBUJP±NPTUMJLFMZEVFUP
High-end convertibles don’t get QPVOEGFFUPGUPSRVF-JLFPUIFS".(T
UBMMFSHFBSJOH*UμTBMTPBMPURVJDLFS±
UIF4-SFTPOBUFTXJUIBEFFQHVUUVSBM NQIDPNFTTFDPOETPPOFS±UIBOUIF
much better than this. SVNCMFUISPVHIJUTFYIBVTU MBTU4-XFUFTUFE$IBMLUIBUVQUPBGVMMZ
AUG
40 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
THE L IS FOR LUXURIOUS
Carbon fiber and leather line the SL63
interior up to the A-pillars, where
Alcantara takes over. The latest
Mercedes infotainment system slots
in above the pop-out cup holders.
BEST IN TEST
ROADHOLDING
SKIDPAD (g)
200-FT-DIA
ANTI-LOCK
70–0 MPH
STABILITY
CONTROL
CONTROL
BRAKING
CHASSIS
FRONT
FRONT
TIRES
REAR
REAR
(ft)
control arms, multilink, 15.4-inch 14.2-inch Pirelli P Zero;
FERRARI CALIFORNIA coil springs, coil springs, drilled, vented drilled, vented yes yes F: 245/35ZR-20 (95Y), 151 0.91
anti-roll bar anti-roll bar ceramic disc ceramic disc R: 285/35ZR-20 (100Y)
MERCEDES-BENZ
multilink, multilink, 15.4-inch 13.0-inch Pirelli P Zero;
SL63 AMG
coil springs, coil springs, drilled, drilled, yes yes F: 255/35ZR-19 96Y, 158 0.90
anti-roll bar anti-roll bar vented disc vented disc R: 285/30ZR-19 98Y
TEST AVERAGE 155 0.91
BEST IN TEST * C/D EST ENGINE DRIVELINE ACCELERATION (seconds) SOUND LEVEL FUEL
(dBA) (mpg)
TOP GEAR
DRIVEN WHEELS
MPH/1000 RPM
POWER BHP
TRANSMISSION
MPH
REDLINE (rpm)
GEAR RATIOS:1
MPH TOP
AXLE RATIO:1
SPEED
POWERTRAIN
5–60 MPH
(mph)
ROLLING
¼-MILE
@ MPH
50–70
0–100
0–150
TORQUE LB-FT
0–60
AUG
42 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
ONLY ONE CAR
WILL WIN.
WE MAKE SURE
ALL OF THEM COULD.
The tools America trusts most are also the tools NASCAR trusts most.
For tools and advice visit us at www.craftsman.com/officialtools
THE HEADQUARTERS OF CRAFTSMAN
©2009 Sears Brands, LLC. NASCAR ® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.
1
FERRARI
CALIFORNIA
THE HIGHS
Otherworldly engine note, supple ride,
perfectly tuned controls.
THE LOWS
Brakes squeal like nails on
a chalkboard, steering lacks feedback,
confounding rear-end styling.
THE VERDICT
Ferrari mystique in a supremely
user-friendly package.
5IFSFJTPOFCJHQSPCMFNXJUIUIF'FS
SBSJ$BMJGPSOJB
BOEJUTUBSUTBUUIF
SFBS5IFUBMMUBJMXBTSFRVJSFEUPQSPWJEF
SPPNGPSBMMUIFIBSEXBSFOFFEFEGPSUIF
GPMEJOHUPQ
BOEUIJTHJWFTBDMBTTJDBMMZ
CFBVUJGVMTIBQFUPUIF$BMJGPSOJBJOTJEF
QSPGJMF5IFUSPVCMFCFHJOTXIFOZPVMPPL
IFBEPOBUUIFDBSμTCVUU5IFSPVOEUBJM
MJHIUTBSFQMBDFEXFMMJOCPBSEPGUIFGFOEFST
BOEUIFTXBUITPGTIFFUNFUBMFYUFOEJOHUP
UIFFEHFTJODSFBTFUIFWJTVBMXJEUIPGUIF
SFBS1MVT
UIFZTFSWFWFSZMJUUMFGVODUJPO
5IFCSBLJOHBOEUVSOTJHOBMMJHIUTBSFJO
BUSJBOHVMBSDMVTUFSDMPTFSUPUIFCVNQFS
5IFTUBDLFESFBSUBJMQJQFT
MJLFUIPTFPGUIF
-FYVT*4'
BSFQVSFMZDPTNFUJDBOEIBWF
OPQIZTJDBMBUUBDINFOUUPUIFPSEJOBSZ
FYIBVTUQJQFTUIFZDPODFBM
0GDPVSTF
UIBUEJEOμUTUPQUIF'FSSBSJ
THE VIRTUAL DASHBOARD
GSPN HFUUJOH TUBSFT JO FWFSZ #BWBSJBO The digital screen in the California instrument
WJMMBHFXFCMFXUISPVHI&WFOUIFMFBTU cluster displays analog oil temperature and
FMFHBOU'FSSBSJBUUSBDUTDBNFSBQIPOFQIP coolant dials, tire pressure and temperature,
UPHSBQIFST
JUTFFNT"OEUIPTFHBXLFST or trip-computer data. Navigation information
NJTTFEUIFWJFXVOEFSUIFIPPE
XIFSFUXP also pops up when a turn approaches.
AUG
44 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
COMPARISON TEST
HJBOUJOMFUUVCFTSVOVQUPUIFSFEWBMWF
DPWFST&WFSZUIJOHCVUUIFFOHJOFJTDPW
FSFE
BOEJUμTBWJTVBMUSFBU
5IFMJUFS7JTTJNJMBSUPUIF'μT
QPXFSQMBOU
XJUIUIFGVOEBNFOUBMDIBOHFT
CFJOHEJSFDUJOKFDUJPOBOEBMPXFS
SQNSFEMJOF1PXFSJTEPXOIPSTFT
UP
CVUUPSRVFJODSFBTFTQPVOEGFFU
UP'FSSBSJDMBJNTQFSDFOUPGUIBU "TXFOPUFEFBSMJFS
UIFOVNCFSTBSF CVUUIF$BMJGPSOJBVTFTBIFBEVOJUGSPNUIF
UXJTUJTPOUBQGSPNSQN
CVUUIFPOMZ DMPTF8IFSFUIF'FSSBSJSFBMMZTIPXTJUT $ISZTMFSQBSUTCJOJOTUFBEPGUIFCFTQPLF
UJNFUIF$BMJGPSOJBMPQFTBSPVOEBUTVDI BEWBOUBHFJTJOUIFEFUBJMT
TVDIBTIPX #PTFTZTUFNGSPNUIF(5#'FSSBSJT
MPXSFWTJTJOUIFEVBMDMVUDIUSBOTBYMFμT UIF HBT QFEBM QSPWJEFT JOTUBOU
QSFDJTF VTFEUPDPNFXJUIPVUBSBEJP
XIJDINJHIU
DPOTFSWBUJWF BVUPNBUJD NPEF 4IJGUJOH SFTQPOTFT GSPN UIF FOHJOF 5IF CSBLF CFMFTTPGBOJOTVMUUIBOQSPWJEJOHPOF
HFBST NBOVBMMZ JT NPSF TBUJTGZJOH BOE QFEBM
UPP
JTQFSGFDUMZMJOFBSGPSNFUJOH UIBUμTBMTPGPVOEJOB%PEHF$BSBWBO
QSPWPLFTSFQFBUFESVOTUISPVHIUIFSFW PVUFYBDUBNPVOUTPGTUPQQJOHQPXFSGSPN 5IFSFTUPGUIFJOUFSJPSMJWFTVQUP'FS
SBOHFUPIFBSUIFPUIFSXPSMEMZXBJMPGUIF UIFGBEFGSFF#SFNCPT6OMJLFPUIFSEVBM SBSJMFWFMFYQFDUBUJPOT4PGUMFBUIFSBOE
GMBUQMBOFDSBOL7"UXJEFPQFOUISPUUMF
DMVUDIDBSTXFμWFESJWFO
UIFSFμTOPIFTJUB IBOETUJUDIJOHBSFFWFSZXIFSF
BOEUIF
HFBSTIJGUTDSBDLPGGXJUIBTIPUHVOMJLF UJPOGSPNUIFHFBSCPYXIFOQVMMJOHBXBZ PQUJPOBM%BZUPOBTUZMFTFBUTBSFTPMJEBOE
QPQGSPNUIFFYIBVTU)FBSEUPHFUIFS
UIJT GSPNBTUPQ&WFOUIFTUFFSJOHJTNJMMJNFUFS TVQQPSUJWF5IFGPPUXFMMTJOUIF$BMJGPS
NBLFTUIFFYIBVTUOPUFPGUIF4-TFFNGBS QSFDJTF
BMUIPVHIJUEPFTOμUGFFMUIBUXBZBU OJBBSFDBWFSOPVT
BOEUIFTUFFSJOHXIFFM
UPPNV[[MFE0OUIFPUIFSFOEPGUIFBVSBM GJSTU±JUTXFJHIUJOHJTMJHIUBOEGFFECBDL TJUTIJHIUPIFMQBDDPNNPEBUFUIFUBMMFTU
TQFDUSVNBSFUIFDBSCPODFSBNJDCSBLFT GSPNUIFGSPOUXIFFMTJTTDBSDF PGESJWFST5IFSFBSTFBUT
IPXFWFS
NJHIU
UIBU
XIFODPME
TRVFBMMJLFQJHT
XIJDIJT 0VSUFTUDBSXBTFRVJQQFEXJUIPQUJPOBM
CFMBSHFFOPVHIUPIPMEBLJEμTCPPTUFSCVU
FTQFDJBMMZBOOPZJOHJODJUZUSBGGJD BEBQUJWFNBHOFUPSIFPMPHJDBMTIPDLT MJLF XPOμUBDDPNNPEBUFBEVMUT'FSSBSJPGGFST
"TJOUIF4-
UIF'FSSBSJIBTBMBVODI (.μT.BHOF3JEFBOE"VEJμTESJWFTFMFDU
UIFPQUJPOPGBSFBSTUPSBHFTIFMGJOMJFVPG
DPOUSPMNPEFBDUJWBUFECZBCVUUPOPOUIF BOEUIFZTIPVMECFNBOEBUPSZPOBOZPSEFS UIFCBDLTFBUT
BOEJUμTBHPPEXBZUPHP
DFOUFSDPOTPMF
BOEMJLFUIF#FO[
TIJGUJOH GPSN*OHFOFSBM
UIF'FSSBSJSJEFTTPGUFS #PUIDPOGJHVSBUJPOTIBWFBUSVOLQBTT
JTBVUPNBUFEBTMPOHBTUIFUISPUUMFJTXJEF UIBOUIF.FSDFEFTBOESPMMTNPSFJODPS UISPVHI
BOEUIFUSVOLMJEFYUFOETEPXOUP
PQFO4UBOEJOHTUBSUTBSFCFTUQFSGPSNFE OFST
CVUJUSFGVTFTUPXBMMPXBOESFTQPOET UIFCVNQFSGPS[FSPMJGUPWFSBDDFTTUPTUPS
JOTQPSUNPEF
UIFNJEEMFPGUIFUISFFTFU XJMMJOHMZUPBOZJOQVU5IF$BMJGPSOJBμT BHF'FSSBSJIJOUTBUPGGFSJOHBDVQIPMEFS
UJOHTPGUIFNBOFUUJOPTFMFDUPSPOUIFTUFFS EZOBNJDEBNQFSTBSFMFTTFMBCPSBUFUIBO CVUUIFSPVOEDVUPVUVOEFSUIFDFOUFSTUPS
JOHXIFFM UIFPUIFSTCFJOH²DPNGPSU³BOE UIF4-μTBDUJWFTVTQFOTJPO
ZFUXFGPVOE BHFCJOMBDLTBEFHSFFMJQ
²TUBCJMJUZPGG³
5IF'FSSBSJHFUTBXBZXJUI UIF'FSSBSJUPBEKVTUCFUUFSUPBCSPBEFS 1SPWJEJOHBQMBDFUPIPMEBCFWFSBHFJT
NPSFXIFFMTQJOUIBOUIF#FO[BOESPDLFUT SBOHFPGSPBETVSGBDFT KVTUUPPCBOBMGPS'FSSBSJUPXPSSZBCPVU
UPNQIJOTFDPOET"UUIFRVBSUFS *OTJEF
UIF$BMJGPSOJBIBTMVYVSJFTUIBU CVUJOBMMPUIFSSFTQFDUT
UIF$BMJGPSOJB
NJMF
UIF$BMJGPSOJBJTTFDPOEBIFBEPG XPVME NBLF B 5FTUBSPTTB PXOFS XFFQ
PGGFSTFWFSZEBZFBTF
FYUSBWBHBOUMVYVSZ
UIF4-
BOEJUTMFBEFYUFOETUPNPSFUIBO BMUIPVHIUIFQPXFSTFBUTBOEDSVJTFDPO BOETUFMMBSQFSGPSNBODF+VTUXIBUXFμSF
BIBMGTFDPOECZNQI USPMBSFPQUJPOBM/BWJHBUJPOJTTUBOEBSE
MPPLJOHGPSJOUIFQFSGFDUUSPQIZDBS L
¼-MI ACCELERATION*
REAR-SEAT COMFORT
FINAL
EXTERIOR STYLING
INTERIOR STYLING
REBATES/EXTRAS*
AS-TESTED PRICE*
SUBTOTAL
SUBTOTAL
SUBTOTAL
DRIVER COMFORT
FUEL ECONOMY*
PERFORMANCE*
TRANSMISSION
FIT AND FINISH
STEERING FEEL
TRUNK SPACE*
GOTTA HAVE IT
FUN TO DRIVE
RESULTS
ERGONOMICS
FLEXIBILITY*
ENGINE NVH
BRAKE FEEL
HANDLING
RIDE
MAXIMUM POINTS
RANK
AVAILABLE
10 10 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 20 95 20 5 5 10 10 50 20 5 5 10 10 50 25 25 245
FERRARI
1 CALIFORNIA 9 8 2 5 7 8 8 8 0 12 67 20 4 4 9 9 46 20 4 5 9 9 47 23 24 207
MERCEDES-BENZ
2 SL63 AMG 6 8 0 4 10 9 8 7 0 20 72 19 4 5 8 9 45 19 5 4 9 8 45 20 23 205
*These objective scores are calculated from the vehicles’ dimensions, capacities, rebates and extras, and/or test results.
AUG
46 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
%3*7*/(
5)& '6563&
CARS ARE GOING ELECTRIC. BUT DOES
THAT MEAN THEY’LL BE APPLIANCES?
A century ago, miracle will be known as
there was some the range-extended plug-in
serious debate about hybrid, and in light of the
what technology would administration’s new CAFE
power the cars of the regulations, we’ll likely be
future. Would they get their seeing a lot more of them.
forward thrust from gas- The burning question for
fed internal-combustion car enthusiasts remains:
engines? Steam power? Will any of these things be
Electric motors? fun to drive?
Now, 100 years later, That’s among the things
another debate over the we’ve set out to determine
future of automotive power with the following special
is being waged. If you’ve section. We’ve done a
read a car magazine deep dive with electric-auto
anytime during the past visionary Henrik Fisker and
two years, you’ve seen gotten our hands on two
the news: The short-term pure EVs—the Mini E and
automotive future will be the Dodge Circuit—as well
electric. And when we say as the much anticipated,
electric, we mean either media-lathering, can-
pure electric or cars utilizing it-really-save-the-world
both electric and gasoline Chevrolet Volt.
power. The traditional We’ve driven these cars,
hybrid powertrain, with and over the course of
an internal-combustion these 14 pages, we’ll give
engine driving the wheels you our impressions, paying
and supplemental power special attention to whether
provided by a battery pack, any of them can replace
will soon be supplanted the visceral jolt of a cowl-
by a system that works shaking V-8. We’ll also give
the opposite way. In you the straight dope on
this system, the wheels the battery technologies
are driven by a battery- powering them.
powered electric motor, and And one thing will be
a small internal-combustion made abundantly clear
engine will be onboard to throughout: The future will
supply backup power. This have fewer Express Lubes.
AUG
48 2009
2011 CHEVROLET VOLT
GM LOOKS INTO ITS CRYSTAL BALL, AGAIN.
BY TONY QUIROGA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM DREW
I
O
UIFHSFBU"NFSJDBOFOUFSQSJTF XPSLPVUUIFXBZ(.FYQFDUFEJUUPGSPN
DBMMFE(FOFSBM.PUPSTDPNNJTTJPOFE UIFWBOUBHFQPJOUPG 8FQIPUPHSBQIFE
BOBSDIJUFDUXIPXPVMECFDPNFHMPC UIFDBSJOTUFBEBU$SBOCSPPL4DIPPMT
AUG
2009 49
D
R
I
V
I
N
G
T
H
E
F
U
T
U
R
E
AUG
50 2009
CZHBTPMJOFFOHJOFTBOE
BUCFTU
VTFUIFJSFMFDUSJDNPUPSTUP #FDBVTFVTJOHVQBMMUIFQPXFSJTEFUSJNFOUBMUPBQBDLμT
QSPQFMUIFDBSPOMZCSJFGMZ PWFSBMMMJGFTQBO
UIF7PMUNBLFTVTFPGPOMZIBMGPGUIFCBU
0VSESJWFPGUIF7PMUQSPUPUZQFXBTSFTUSJDUFEUPFMFDUSJD UFSZμTL8IDBQBDJUZ5IFMJGFTQBOJTBMTPUISFBUFOFECZ
POMZPQFSBUJPO
XIJDI(.TBZTUIF7PMUDBOEPGPSVQUP GVMMZDIBSHJOHUIFCBUUFSZ
TPUIF7PMUμTQBDLTQFOETJUTUJNF
NJMFT8JUIUIFHBTFOHJOFTXJUDIFEPGG
UIFFMFDUSJDJUZUP CFUXFFOQFSDFOUBOEQFSDFOUDBQBDJUZ$IBSHJOHUIFCBU
QPXFSUIFIQNPUPSDPNFTGSPNUIF7PMUμTNBTTJWF UFSZQBDLUBLFTTJYUPTFWFOIPVSTXJUIBIPVTFIPMEWPMU
LJMPXBUUIPVS L8I
MJUIJVNJPOCBUUFSZQBDL.BEFVQPG PVUMFU(.XJMMPGGFSDVTUPNFSTBWPMUDIBSHJOHTUBUJPO
PSTP1PQ5BSU°TJ[FDFMMT
UIFTJYGPPUMPOH
QPVOECBUUFSZ UIBUXJMMSFEVDFUIFUJNFUPUXPUPUISFFIPVST
QBDLTJUTCFOFBUIUIF7PMUμTDFOUFSUVOOFMBOECSBODIFTPVU 6OEFSCBUUFSZQPXFS
UIFFMFDUSJDNPUPSGFFMTTUSPOHFS
VOEFSUIFSFBSTFBUT6OPGGJDJBMFTUJNBUFTQVUUIFDPTUBUBCPVU UIBOJUTIPSTFQPXFSXPVMETVHHFTU±(.JTUBSHFUJOHB
QFSQBDL'SPNJOTJEFUIFDBS
UIFIJHIDFOUFSUVOOFM UPUJNFPGTFDPOET
XIJDITFFNTSFBMJTUJD#VSZUIF
HJWFTUIFGSPOUXIFFMESJWF7PMUUIFBQQFBSBODFPGBSFBSESJWF SJHIUQFEBMGSPNBTUBOETUJMM
BOEBMMQPVOEGFFUPGUPSRVF
DBSBOEUVSOTUIFCBDLTFBUJOUPUXPCVDLFUT NPEFTUMZDIJSQUIFGSPOUUJSFT,FFQJUGMPPSFE
BOEUIFTJOHMF
)FBUFEBOEDPPMFEUPLFFQJUBUBOPQUJNVNUFNQFSBUVSF
TQFFEUSBOTNJTTJPOQSPWJEFTTFBNMFTTBDDFMFSBUJPOBLJOUPB
UIFCBUUFSZQBDLTFFNTUPCFUSFBUFEXJUINPSFDPODFSOUIBO DPOUJOVPVTMZWBSJBCMFUSBOTNJTTJPO#VUVOMJLFB$75PQFSBU
$IFWZFYQSFTTFEGPS$IFWFUUFPXOFST5IFQVSQPTFPGUIF JOHXJUIBHBTFOHJOFBUGVMMXIBDL
UIFFMFDUSJDNPUPSCBSFMZ
QBNQFSJOHJTUPQSPWJEFUIF7PMUμTCBUUFSZXJUIBMJGFTQBOPG FNJUTBXIJS8IFODSVJTJOHBUNQI
UIF7PMUQSPUPUZQF
BUMFBTUZFBSTPS
NJMFT"GUFSJUTMJGFJOUIF7PMU
UIF EFTQJUFJUTOFBSMZTJMFOUFMFDUSJDNPUPS
JTOμUNVDIRVJFUFS
CBUUFSZXJMMTUJMMCFBCMFUPIPMEL8I
BOE(.FOWJTJPOT UIBOBHBTQPXFSFEDBS±BUFTUBNFOUUPIPXRVJFUNPEFSO
UIBUUIFSFNPWFEQBDLDPVMECFVTFEGPSZFBSTBTBOJOIPNF FOHJOFTSVOOJOHBUMPXSQNIBWFCFDPNF
FOFSHZTUPSBHFEFWJDFPSCZVUJMJUZDPNQBOJFTUPTUPSFXJOE 8IBUJTVODMFBSBUUIFNPNFOUJTIPXUIF7PMUXJMMCFIBWF
PSTPMBSFOFSHZ BOEXIFOFYBDUMZJUXJMMHPJOUPJUTTPDBMMFE²SBOHFFYUFOE
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 105.7 in Length: 178.1 in
Width: 70.4 in Height: 56.3 in
Curb weight: 3500 lb
AUG
2009 51
D The Volt will be built on
R GM’s global small-car
I architecture, modified
V to accept the T-shaped,
I six-foot-long, 400-
pound, lithium-ion
N
battery pack. Up front,
G
the engine bay houses
T a 1.4-liter gasoline
H powerplant and the
E 149-hp electric motor
that drives the Volt.
F
U
T
U JOHNPEF³±XIFOUIFCBUUFSZSVOTMPXFOPVHIUPSFRVJSFUIF XJMMTIBSFMJUUMFXJUIPUIFS(.DBST(.IBTOμUBOOPVODFEXIBU
R HBTPMJOFFOHJOFUPLJDLPOUPNBLFFMFDUSJDJUZ8JMMUIF7PMUBMMPX UIF7PMUNJHIUDPTU
CVUBCBTFQSJDFPGBCPVU
JTFYQFDUFE
E UIFESJWFSUPEJQCFMPXUIFQFSDFOUUISFTIPMEJGUIFDBSJTDMPTF 4PGUFOJOHUIFCMPXJTBUBYDSFEJUPG
UPBDIBSHJOHTUBUJPO 8JMMUIFESJWFSCFBCMFUPIJUBCVUUPOUP 4JYUZZFBSTGSPNOPX
ESJWFSTXJMMLOPXIPX(.μTBEWFOUVSF
HPUIBUFYUSBNJMFVOEFSCBUUFSZQPXFS ²8FIBWFOμUGJOBMJ[FE XJUIUIF7PMUUVSOFEPVU8IBUXFLOPXOPXJTUIBU(.DBOμU
QMBOTGPSIPXBMMUIBUJTFYBDUMZHPJOHUPPQFSBUF
³7PMUWFIJDMF BGGPSEUPCFXSPOH L
MJOFEJSFDUPS5POZ1PTBXBU[UFMMTVT8IBU1PTBXBU[EPFTLOPX
JTUIBUESJWFSDPOUSPMPGUIFUSBOTJUJPOXPOμUCFBWBJMBCMFJOUIF
GJSTUWFSTJPO²5IFWFSTJPOXJMMIBWFTPNFJOUFSFTUJOHUIJOHT
UIBUQFPQMFXJMMMJLF7FSZNVDIMJLFIPXBOJ1IPOFIBTEJGGFSFOU
BQQMJDBUJPOTUIBUDPNFPVUBMMUIFUJNF³
0ODFUIFHBTFOHJOFJTPO
UIF7PMUXJMMHPBTGBSBTBOBEEJUJPOBM
NJMFT#VUUIFFMFDUSJDNPUPSJTMJNJUFEUPUIFPVUQVUQSPWJEFE
CZUIFMJUFSGPVSDZMJOEFSFOHJOFOFTUMFEVOEFSUIFIPPEOFYU
UPUIFFMFDUSJDNPUPS5IFFOHJOFJTOPUVTFEUPDIBSHFUIFCBU
UFSZBMMPGUIFFMFDUSJDJUZUIFHBTFOHJOFDSFBUFTHPFTEJSFDUMZUP
UIFFMFDUSJDNPUPSUPESJWFUIFDBS*GUIFHBTFOHJOFJTUVSOJOH
SQNBOENBLJOHIPSTFQPXFS
UIFFMFDUSJDNPUPSXJMMCF
MJNJUFEUPUIBUBNPVOUPGQPXFS
8FμSFHVFTTJOHUIFMJUFSFOHJOFXJMMCFHPPEGPSBCPVU
IPSTFQPXFS
XIJDINFBOTUIBUPODFUIFCBUUFSZJTEFQMFUFE
UIF
7PMUXJMMHPGSPNBIQDMJQQFSUPBIQXFBLMJOH"OE
EV LOST
TIPVMEZPVXBOUUIBUIPSTFQPXFS
UIFMJUFSFOHJOFXJMM
IBWFUPSFWUPJUTQPXFSQFBL
MJLFMZPWFSSQN
BOEIPMEUIBU
SQNVOUJMMFTTQPXFSJTOFFEFE5IF7PMUXJMMCFRVJDLFSBTBO
FMFDUSJDUIBOXIFOJUμTCVSOJOHHBT
BDMFBSJODFOUJWFUPLFFQJU
QMVHHFEJOBTPGUFOBTQPTTJCMF
DIDN’T THESE GUYS ALREADY KILL
6OBCMFUPFYQFSJNFOUXJUIUIPTFQSPQPTJUJPOTEVSJOHPVSUFTU THE ELECTRIC CAR?
ESJWF
XFBTLFE1PTBXBU[IPXUIFFYQFSJFODFXJMMDIBOHFPODF
T
UIFCBUUFSZJTEFQMFUFEBOEUIFHBTFOHJOFUVSOTPO²5IFXPSL rundling along under parts-availability regulations.
CFJOHEPOFCZUIFEFWFMPQNFOUHVZTBTXFTQFBLJTUPDSFBUFB the Chevy Volt’s elec- So why did GM give up
HFOUMFGFBUIFSJOHPGUIFSQN4PZPVEPOμUFWFOOPUJDFUIBUUIF tric power, it’s hard on its big experiment? The
FOHJOFLJDLTJO
³IFTBJE²:PVNJHIUHFUJOUPBQPTJUJPO
VOEFS not to be reminded of GM’s EV1’s high cost and low
BOFYUSFNFHSBEFPSIJMMDMJNC
XIFSFUIFFOHJOFSQNXJMMCF last foray into the electric-car demand got the blame. GM
QSFUUZMPVE±SVOOJOHQSFUUZIBSE"UBDFSUBJOQPJOUJOUJNF
arena: the lozenge-shaped, based the leases on an initial
UIBUSQNXJMMCFSFMBUJWFMZVOQMFBTBOU5IJTJTUIFDIBMMFOHFPG two-seat EV1. For three years vehicle price of $33,995.
EJGGFSFOUSPBEMPBET)PXDBOXFLFFQUIF/7)SFBTPOBCMFGPS starting in 1996, GM offered Estimates put the actual cost
BDVTUPNFS ³ a select few California and of an EV1 between $80,000
"MTPVODMFBSJTIPXUIF&1"XJMMSBUFUIF7PMUμTGVFMFDPOPNZ Arizona residents three- and $100,000. More cynical
5IFQSPCMFNJTUIBUUIF7PMUDBOBDUBTBOFMFDUSJDDBSGPSVQUP year/30,000-mile leases on observers believe GM saw
NJMFTBUBUJNF
CVUJUDBOBMTPSVOPOHBTMJLFBDPOWFOUJPOBMDBS just over a thousand EV1s, no future in electric cars
EPFT(.CFMJFWFTUIBUQFSDFOUPGUIFQVCMJDESJWFTMFTTUIBO at prices that started at $477 and was merely going
NJMFTQFSEBZ
XIJDI
JOUIF7PMU
DPVMECFEPOFXJUIPVUCVSOJOH per month (select customers through the motions and
BESPQPGHBT*GUIBUμTHFOFSBMMZUIFDBTF
XIBUXJMMUIFXJOEPX were offered two-year exten- that the EV1 demonstrated
TUJDLFSMJTUBTUIFDBSμTGVFMFDPOPNZ ;FSP *OGJOJUZ sions). When the EV1 leases precisely why electrics
*UμTDMFBSUIF7PMUJTBXPSLJOQSPHSFTT
CVU1PTBXBU[BTTVSFTVT came due, GM collected all had no future. Meanwhile,
UIBUUIFDBSJTTUJMMPOUBSHFUGPSB/PWFNCFSPOTBMFEBUF-FTT the experimental cars and conspiracy theorists blame
DMFBSJTXIBUUIF7PMUXJMMDPTU"MUIPVHIJUμTCVJMUPOBNPEJGJFE had most of them crushed oil companies for wiping out
WFSTJPOPGUIFVQDPNJOH$IFWZ$SV[FμTHMPCBMTNBMMDBSBSDIJUFD to avoid liability issues and the electric car. —TQ
UVSF
UIF7PMUXJMMCFIPNFUPBMPUPGFYQFOTJWFUFDIOPMPHZBOE
AUG
52 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
THE ALL-AROUND
BEST
PERFORMING
TIRE ON THE STREET.
And only Yokohama makes it.
WET CORNERING
and HANDLING
110
100
TOTAL WET
AVERAGE BRAKING
90
YOKOHAMA
Bridgestone RE-11
All product names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Complete testing results are available from Yokohama Tire Corporation, PO Box 4550 Fullerton, CA 92834 © 2009 Yokohama Tire Corporation
2011 DODGE CIRCUIT EV
D
R
WHAT DO YOU CALL A LOTUS EUROPA
I WITH 600 POUNDS OF BATTERIES? STILL FUN.
V
BY DAVE VANDERWERP PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM DREW
I
N
Automakers aren’t usually receptive battery pack. Comparisons with the Lotus Jeep Wrangler and Patriot; the company
G to the idea of us driving their Elise–based Tesla roadster are inevitable. has well-sorted running prototypes of
T concept cars, as most of these are little When looking for a place to dock a each. While the Circuit is battery-only, the
H more than million-dollar auto-show 600-pound battery pack, a front-engine other variants are of the range-extended
E paperweights that may not even move platform is all wrong from the perspective electric variety, as in Chevy’s Volt, which
under their own power. The case of the of weight distribution. And finding a mid- is powered by an electric motor but has a
F
Dodge Circuit EV, however, is different. engine chassis from a manufacturer that gas engine onboard to generate electricity
U Lou Rhodes, president of Chrysler’s will entertain inquiries for low-volume if needed, which prevents occupants from
T electric-car ENVI division, had no qualms orders quickly trims the options down to being marooned when the juice runs out.
U about giving us the first chance to wring one: Lotus. Its lightweight Elise and Exige Electric motors are very efficient (92
R the neck of this electric-powered sports S sports cars provide a tiny annual sales percent or so, compared with gasoline
E car on a road course—the 1.7-mile footprint in the U.S. (less than 2000 units), engines, at 30 percent), and depending
handling loop at the company’s proving but the company is set to expand with its on the specifics of exactly how the EPA
ground in Chelsea, Michigan. larger, more passenger-friendly Evora [see will rate electric vehicles in the future,
Shown last fall for the first time, the page 110]. the Circuit will likely achieve an energy-
Circuit is a not-sold-here Lotus Europa Rhodes touts the versatility of electric equivalent fuel-economy rating of well
(itself a slightly swollen version of the powertrains: A lower-power version of the over 100 mpg.
Elise) that’s had its powertrain replaced Circuit’s motor can be shared with various Aside from cost, downsides include
with a 268-hp, 295-lb-ft electric motor other mainstream vehicles such as the lack of energy storage (the massive
and a large, 35-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion Chrysler Town & Country minivan and the battery pack holds fewer kilowatt-hours
AUG
54 2009
WARNING: HIGH CURRENT
The gauge on the left (above) shows amps,
which may become a source of bragging for
the next generation. Four hundred amps course
through the Dodge during hard acceleration,
and as many as 200 flow under regeneration,
so fiddling with those wires (above right)
is not recommended.
than can be extracted from a single considerably more body roll than an Elise.
gallon of gas) and, therefore, range. With So what does 295 pound-feet of instant
just a claimed 150 miles between time- torque feel like in a 2650-pound sports
consuming recharges—90 minutes to 12 car? Well, the current software tuning
hours, depending on the power source— conservatively metes out only a portion
the Circuit likely won’t be your only car. of the maximum at launch so as not to
But the dexterity required to slither over allow any wheelspin. Power oversteer is
the wide doorsills and into the Circuit’s also verboten at the moment, although we
low-flying cabin that’s tight for two pretty sincerely hope that a production version
much dictates the limited appeal of the would let the driver decide whether to
thing anyway. melt the tires. As with our women, we
Fortunately, it’s still an enthusiast’s feast prefer that a powerful sports car be able to
from behind the wheel, starting with the frighten us from time to time.
delectably precise unassisted steering that Whacking the power pedal once the car
conveys every road nuance. But the heavy is up to speed, however, delivers a realistic
battery pack and electric bits skew the rendition of a gut-contorting sucker punch.
weight bias even more to the rear, making The Circuit pulls strongly well past 60
the front end noticeably light under power, mph, but as triple digits approach, the lack
which further exacerbates the Dodge’s of gears causes acceleration to taper off
tendency toward understeer. And there’s far more dramatically than in a traditional
no disguising the hundreds of pounds sports car. Reaching 60 mph takes a
of additional weight; the Circuit has claimed 4.7 seconds, although Rhodes
AUG
2009 55
FOR MORE
VEHICLE TYPE: mid-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 2-
D WATCH HIGH-PERFORMANCE passenger, 2-door coupe
HOT LAPS—IN NEAR SILENCE.
R ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $85,000
I •
CAR ANDDRIVER COM/
CIRCUITEV MOTOR TYPE: DC permanent-magnet electric motor
V Power (SAE net) . . . . . . . 268 bhp @ 5500 rpm
I Torque (SAE net) . . . . . . . . . 295 lb-ft @ 0 rpm
N
TRANSMISSION: 1-speed direct drive
G
DIMENSIONS:
T Wheelbase: 91.7 in Length: 153.5 in
H Width: 67.5 in Height: 45.3 in
E Curb weight: 2650 lb
AUG
58 2009
MR. FISKER’S
GOOD KARMA
THE GREENING OF THE AUTOMOBILE REPRESENTS A CHANCE
FOR ENTREPRENEURS TO REINVENT THE CAR BUSINESS.
OR AT LEAST THAT’S WHAT HENRIK FISKER HOPES.
BY MARK GILLIES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN WING
T
IF'JTLFS,BSNBQMVHJO DVSSFOUMZBTTFNCMFTUIF#PYTUFSBOE$BZNBOGPS
IZCSJEJTBOJOUSJHVJOH 1PSTDIF-BSHFQBSUTPGUIFDBS
TVDIBTUIFJOUFSJPS
WFIJDMF*UJTTUVOOJOHMZ BOEUIFHBTPMJOFFOHJOF
XJMMBMTPCFPVUTPVSDFEUP
CFBVUJGVMBOEDPNFTXJUIBIPTU DPNQBOJFTTVDIBT.BHOBBOE(FOFSBM.PUPST
PGDPNQFMMJOHUFDIOPMPHJFT
ZFU 'JTLFSμTFOHJOFFSJOHDFOUFSJO1POUJBD
.JDIJHBO
UIJTIQ
NQIMVYVSJPVT IBTBMPOH
PQFOSPPNUIBUMPPLTMJLFUIFDVCFGBSNPG
TQPSUTTFEBOXJMMCFQSJDFE NBOZBO"NFSJDBOXPSLQMBDF4PNFFOHJOFFST±
BU
XIFOJUBSSJWFT GFXFSUIBOPGXIPNBSF'JTLFSFNQMPZFFTUIF
FBSMZOFYUZFBS
XFMMCFMPX SFTUXPSLGPSTVQQMJFST±BSFBEESFTTJOHFWFSZBTQFDU
UIFMFTTQSBDUJDBM±BOENVDI PGUIFEFTJHOBOENBOVGBDUVSJOHPGUIF,BSNBJOB
CBMMZIPPFE±
5FTMB TJOHMFQMBDF
XIJDI'JTLFSTBZTXJMMBJEUIFEFDJTJPO
FMFDUSJDSPBETUFS#VU)FOSJL NBLJOHQSPDFTT
'JTLFSCFMJFWFTUIFSFBTPOIJT ²5IFSFBSFMPUTPGHPPETVQQMJFSTPVUUIFSF
³TBZT
OFXDPNQBOZXJMMTVDDFFE 'JTLFS
²BOEXFIBWFJOWPMWFEUIFNFBSMJFSJOUIF
HPFTGVSUIFSUIBOUIF,BSNBμT EFWFMPQNFOUQSPHSBNUIBOJTUZQJDBM8FEPOμUOFFE
UFDIOPMPHZ'JTLFS"VUPNPUJWF UIFNQFSDFOUPGUIFUJNFJOBMMPGUIFJSDBQBDJUZ
XJMMVTFBCVTJOFTTNPEFMUIBU XIJDIBMMPXTVTUPIBWFBMPXFSMFWFMPGPWFSIFBE
EJGGFSTGSPNUIFBVUPJOEVTUSZμT UIBOZPVUZQJDBMMZIBWFJOBDBSDPNQBOZ³
GPSNVMBPGUIFQBTUZFBSTPS 6OVTVBMGPSUIF$&0PGBDBSDPNQBOZ
'JTLFSJTOμU
TP
XIFSFCZFWFSZOFXNPEFM BGJOBODJBMHVZPSBOFOHJOFFSCVUBEFTJHOFS)JT
QSPHSBNOPXDPTUTCJMMJPOTPG ZFBSDBSFFSIBTJODMVEFETUJOUTBU#.8
'PSE
BOE
EPMMBST²5PCVJMEBDBSUIFPME "TUPO.BSUJO
BOEIJTSnTVNnJODMVEFTHFNTTVDI
XBZ
³TBZT'JTLFS
²UIFWFOUVSF BTUIF#.8;BOEUIF"TUPO.BSUJO77BOUBHF
DBQJUBMJTUTXPVMEOμUQVUUIF "GUFSMFBWJOH"TUPOJO
'JTLFSBOE$00
NPOFZJOCFDBVTFUIFZXBOUB #FSOIBSE,PFIMFS
BOPUIFSGPSNFS#.8EFTJHOFS
RVJDLSFUVSO8FXBOUFEUPQVU TFUVQ'JTLFS$PBDICVJME
XIFSFUIFZSFCPEJFE
BMMUIFNPOFZXFSBJTFEJOUP .FSDFEFT#FO[4-TBOETFSJFT#.8T
QSPEVDUEFWFMPQNFOUSBUIFSUIBO *O4FQUFNCFS
'JTLFS$PBDICVJMEKPJOFE
CVJMEJOHBGBDUPSZ³ XJUI2VBOUVN5FDIOPMPHJFT
BDPNQBOZJO*SWJOF
4P
'JTLFSJTOPUHPJOHUP $BMJGPSOJB
UPGPSN'JTLFS"VUPNPUJWF
TQFDJGJDBMMZ
CVJMEUIFDBS±UIFDPNQBOZXJMM UPEFTJHOBOECVJMEBQMVHJOIZCSJE2VBOUVN
PVUTPVSDFUIBUKPCUP7BMNFU TQFDJBMJ[FTJOBMUFSOBUJWFESJWFUSBJOT
OPUBCMZBQMVH
"VUPNPUJWF
B'JOOJTIGJSNUIBU JOIZCSJENJMJUBSZWFIJDMFCVJMUGPSUIF64"SNZ
AUG
2009 59
"DDPSEJOHUP'JTLFS
2VBOUVNTIPQQFE
D UIFNJMJUBSZWFIJDMFμTUFDIOPMPHZUPBOVN
CFSPGDBSDPNQBOJFT
CVUUIFGBDUUIBUJU
FISKER BELIEVES FERVENTLY THAT THE ELECTRIC
R
I XPVMEOμUQBDLBHFJOBOZDVSSFOUWFIJDMF POWERTRAIN OF THE FUTURE WILL INCLUDE
BSDIJUFDUVSFNFBOUOPPOFXBTXJMMJOHUP
V A GAS ENGINE TO ALLEVIATE THE RANGE AND
CJUF"OEUIBUμTXIZUIF,BSNBIBTCFFO
I
EFTJHOFEGSPNUIFHSPVOEVQBSPVOEUIF RECHARGING-TIME ISSUES OF PURE ELECTRICS.
N ESJWFUSBJO5IFSFTVMUBOUTFEBOXBTTIPXO
G BUUIF%FUSPJUBVUPTIPX
T 'JTLFSCFMJFWFTGFSWFOUMZUIBUUIFFMFD IBTDPNFGSPNGPVSTPVSDFT1BMP"MUP*OWFT SFDFQUJPOJTU³
JO.JDIJHBOVOEFSUIFEJSFD
H USJDQPXFSUSBJOPGUIFGVUVSFXJMMJODMVEF UPST
B 4JMJDPO 7BMMFZ BTTFUNBOBHFNFOU UJPOPG5IPNBT'SJU[
GPSNFSMZBOFOHJOFFS
E B HBT FOHJOF UP BMMFWJBUF UIF SBOHF BOE DPNQBOZ,MFJOFS1FSLJOT$BVGJFME#ZFST
GPS#.8BOE.BHOB
UIFSFBSFNPSF
SFDIBSHJOHUJNFJTTVFTPGQVSFFMFDUSJDT UIFWFOUVSFDBQJUBMDPNQBOZCFIJOENBOZ FNQMPZFFTBUUIFIFBERVBSUFSTJO*SWJOF
F 5IF,BSNBμTUFDIOPMPHZJTFTTFOUJBMMZUIF PGUIFUFDIJOEVTUSZμTNPTUTVDDFTTGVMTUBSU PGXIPNIBMGBSFEFWFMPQNFOUFOHJOFFST
U TBNFBTJO(.μT7PMU5IF,BSNBIBTB VQT
JODMVEJOH(PPHMFUIF2BUBS*OWFTUNFOU BOEEFTJHOFST
XJUIUIFSFTUJONBSLFUJOH
T NJMFSBOHFPOFMFDUSJDPOMZQPXFS
XIJDI "VUIPSJUZ
UIFBTTFUGVOEGPSUIFPJMSJDI GJOBODF
BOETVQQPSU²8FEFMFHBUFEFDJTJPOT
U DPWFSTUIFOFFETPGNBOZNPUPSJTUTμEBJMZ 1FSTJBO(VMGTUBUFBOE&DP%SJWF$BQJUBM NVDIGBSUIFSEPXOUIFGPPEDIBJOBOEIBWF
R DPNNVUFT
BOENPSFNJMFTBSFQSPWJEFE 1BSUOFST
B&VSPQFBO"NFSJDBOJOWFTUNFOU UBLFOTPNFDBMDVMBUFESJTLTCZSFMFBTJOH
E CZBHBTPMJOFFOHJOFUIBUBDUTBTBHFOFSB DPOTPSUJVNCBTFEJO/FX:PSL
XIJDIQVU QBSUTWFSZFBSMZ
SFMZJOHPODPNQVUFSWBMJ
UPS"OZFYDFTTFOFSHZQSPEVDFECZUIFHBT JONJMMJPO EBUJPO8FμSFUIFPOMZDBSDPNQBOZJOUIF
FOHJOF
BTXFMMBTGSPNSFHFOFSBUJWFCSBL 'JTLFSCFMJFWFTIJTNPEFMGJUTUIFDIBOH XPSMEUIBUEPFTOμUIBWFBQSPEVDUQMBOOJOH
JOH
JTTFOUUPUIFCBUUFSZ JOHOBUVSFPGUIFBVUPJOEVTUSZ²:PVXJMM EFQBSUNFOU
UPP
CFDBVTFBMMUIFUPQQFPQMF
*UμTPOFUIJOHUPEFTJHOBDBSBOEQSP OFFEUPBMUFSWFIJDMFTGBTUFSCFDBVTFUIF IFSFLOPXXIBUUIFQSPEVDUTIPVMECF³
EVDFBGVMMTJ[FNPDLVQ*UμTRVJUFBOPUIFS UFDIOPMPHZJTDIBOHJOHTPSBQJEMZ*OUIF )FNBJOUBJOTUIBUJUDPTUTNPTUNBKPSDBS
UPDPNFVQXJUIUIFGVOEJOHUPCVJMEJUJO QBTU
BO BVUPNBLFS XFOU TFWFO PS FJHIU DPNQBOJFTNJMMJPOBOENPOUITUP
TFSJPVTWPMVNFT'JTLFSQMBOTUPCVJME
ZFBST PO B NPEFM DZDMF
XJUI B SFGSFTI SFUSPBDUJWFMZJNQMFNFOUDIBOHFTGSPNGPDVT
,BSNBTBZFBS
BOBNCJUJPVTHPBMDPOTJE IBMGXBZUISPVHI#VUUIFQBDFPGCBUUFSZ HSPVQT
FSJOHUIFDBSμTQSJDF)FFYQFDUTUPUVSO EFWFMPQNFOUNFBOTUIFZDPVMEXFMMCFIBMG 1SPEVDUJPOPGUIF,BSNBJTTDIFEVMFEUP
BQSPGJUPODFIBWFCFFOTPMEUISPVHI UIFTJ[FUIFZBSFOPXJOBWFSZTIPSUUJNF CFHJOUPXBSEUIFFOEPGUIFZFBS
XJUIEFMJW
VQTDBMFDBSEFBMFSTIJQT.PSFUIBOEFBM QFSJPE³ FSJFTTUBSUJOHJOUIFGJSTURVBSUFSPG
FSTIBWFTJHOFEVQTPGBS "OPUIFSBEWBOUBHF'JTLFSTBZTIJTDPN 5IBUNFBOT'JTLFSXJMMMJLFMZCFBU(.UP
5IFDPNQBOZTBZTJUIBTSBJTFEBCPVU QBOZQPTTFTTFTJTUIBUJUμTMFBOBOEGPDVTFE UIFNBSLFUXJUIUIJTOFXBOEQSPNJTJOH
NJMMJPOJOXPSLJOHDBQJUBM5IFNPOFZ *OBEEJUJPOUPUIFFOHJOFFST ²BOEPOF FMFDUSJDIZCSJEUFDIOPMPHZ L
SOLAR POWER
An eco-chic, full-length BATTERIES PLUS BIG TORQUE
solar roof is an option A lithium-ion battery pack Two electric motors
GM’S HELPING HAND
and provides a small is housed in what would shove a fiendish
The 2.0-liter, direct-
amount of power (120 be the transmission tunnel. 960 pound-feet of
injection turbo four-
watts) to charge the The Karma has a claimed torque through a
cylinder Ecotec engine
batteries and ventilate range of 50 miles on differential and to
makes 260 horses and
the interior of the car batteries alone. the rear wheels.
kicks in to power a
while it’s parked. Traction and stability
generator that feeds the
control are standard.
electric motors.
D
MINI E JTMJGF
UIFOUIF.JOJ&JTIFBSUCSFBL
5IFQPVOEFMFDUSJDDBSHPFTMJNQBGUFS
KVTUNJMFT
BOEJUXJMMHPPOMZUIBUGBSJG
ZPVESJWFJUTQBSJOHMZ5IBUμTBMNPTU CVU
VOCFMJFWBCMFIVHFCVMHF³BTPUIFSDBSTDBO
XIFOFWFSUIFJSPXOFSTGFFMUIFJSJOOFS
,FSPVBDDPNJOHPO
4VSF
ZPVDBOSFDIBSHFJU'JHVSFUISFF
R A MINI RANGE, TOO. OPURVJUF
UIFEJTUBODFGSPNPOFFOEPG-PT IPVSTXJUIUIFJODMVEFEWPMUBNQ
I "OHFMFT$PVOUZUPUIFPUIFS MJHIUOJOHCPYUIBUNVTUCFTQFDJBMMZXJSFE
BY AARON ROBINSON
V *GZPVMJWFJOUIF.JEXFTU
UIF.JOJ& JOUPZPVSHBSBHF0SIPVSTPOBSFHVMBS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY XJMMOFWFSTFFUIFPDFBOT*GZPVMJWFJO WPMUBNQXBMMQMVH:PVμMMXBOUUP
I MORGAN SEGAL "MCVRVFSRVF
JUμMMOFWFSMFBWF/FX.FYJDP TUBZDMPTFUPIPNF
N
*GZPVMJWFJO/FX:PSL$JUZ
JUμMMFYQJSF 5IFPOFZFBSMFBTFDPOUSBDUBUUIFTUV
G KVTU TIZ PG -POH *TMBOEμT FBTUFSO UJQ *U QFGZJOHTVNPGQFSNPOUI JOTVSBODF
T
H
E
F
U
T
U
R
E
1:32 P
M 2:12 P
M 2:16 P
M
LATE, AS USUAL, TO PICK UP THE MINI E. TO IN-N-OUT, TO BUY A FAT BURGER. GOBBLE-GOBBLE, THE CLOCK’S TICKING.
AUG
62 2009
Fuel door opens to reveal
the juice socket (left).
Forget a back seat (below).
Confusingly, analog charge
meter (below, center)
reads “ready” even at zero.
Mysterious gold box holds
trick electronics (far left).
JODMVEFE
JTKVTUB²QJMPUQSPKFDU
³BDDPSEJOH SFTJEFTXIFSFUIFCBDLTFBUTPODFEJE±BOE JOUFSFTUJOHTIPQFNQUZIBOEFE
UPUIFDBSμTNBLFS"GUFSUIFZFBS
BMMUIFTF XIFSFNPTUPGUIFDBSHPXBTPODFTUPSFE "JS DPOEJUJPOJOH
POFUPVDI FMFDUSJD
FMFDUSJD.JOJTNVTUCFSFUVSOFE*OUIF 'PPECFJOHUIFGJSTUJUFNPGTVSWJWBM
B XJOEPXT
B$%QMBZFS±MJGFJOUIF.JOJ
TDBOUGFXIPVSTXFXFSFHJWFOUPTVDLUIF EPVCMFEPVCMFBOJNBMTUZMFDIFFTFCVSHFS &JTOμUNVDIEJGGFSFOUUIBOJOBOZPUIFS
NBSSPXPVUPGB.JOJ&
XFUSJFEUPTJNV BU*O/0VUXBTPVSGJSTUQVSDIBTF"GUFSB .JOJ *OTUFBE PG UIF DPMVNONPVOUFE
MBUFUIFMJLFMZPXOFSFYQFSJFODFXJUIBO OFBSMZTJMFOUMBQBSPVOEUIFESJWFUISPVHI
UBDIPNFUFS
BOBOBMPHEJHJUBMDPNCPNFUFS
FDMFDUJDJGSBUIFSMPDBMJ[FESPVOEPGFSSBOE XFXIJTQFSFEJOUPUIFOFJHICPSJOHWJM HJWFTDIBSHFTUBUF
EJTUBODFSFNBJOJOH
SVOOJOH4UVGGFELVEVIFBET
BOZPOF MBHFPG$BNBSJMMP
$BMJGPSOJB
MPPLJOHGPS CBUUFSZQBDLPVUQVU
BOEPUIFSWJUBMT
" .JOJ & TUBSUT MJGF BT B TUBOEBSE CBSHBJOT 8FDPOTJEFSFEWJUBMBTBSNDIBJS
.JOJBUUIFDPNQBOZμTQMBOUJO0YGPSE
"UUIF"OHMFSμT%FO
TPNFUIJOHDBMMFE SFVQIPMTUFSFEXJUIBGMPSBMSJPUBU8JOEPX
&OHMBOE'SPNUIFSF
JUμTTIJQQFE
TBOT UIF3PCPXPSNXBTSVOOJOHBCBH
#PY"OUJRVFT0XOFST3BOEJ.VSQIZBOE
FOHJOF
UPQSPQSJFUPS#.8μTIFBERVBSUFST XIJMFBCVDLFUPG/FX'JTIBMM$IVN±CBTJ 4VTBO/BVNBOOIBWFCFFOTFMMJOHBODJFOU
JO.VOJDI
(FSNBOZ
XIFSFUIJTSJEFJT DBMMZBGSP[FO
GJWFHBMMPOCMPDLPGHSPVOE HPPETUIFSFGPSZFBST*G.JOJNBLFTBO
QJNQFEXJUIBIQ"$FMFDUSJDNPUPS
B VQNBDLFSFMFOUSBJMT±SVOT#VUXFμE &467
XFμMMSFUVSOGPSUIFDIBJS8IFO
%$UP"$DPOWFSUFS
BOPOCPBSESFDIBSHFS
BMSFBEZIBEMVODI/FYUEPPSBU$BNBSJMMP 4BEMZ
UIFQTZDIJDSFBEFSEPXOUIFTUSFFU
BOEQPXFSDPOUSPMFMFDUSPOJDTMPDBUFEJO 4IPPUFST 4VQQMZ
QSPQSJFUPS 4DPUU -VE XBTDMPTFE
UIFHPMEBOPEJ[FECPYZPVTFFVQPOPQFO XJH
BOμ$PPQFS4PXOFSIJNTFMG
TBJE .PTUFMFDUSJDDBSTQPVODFGPSXBSEPO
JOHUIFIPPE"MMPGJUJTBJSDPPMFE IFXPVMEDPOTJEFSTFMMJOHVTIJTQSJ[FE UIFJOTUBOUUPSRVFPGUIFJSFMFDUSJDNPUPST
5IF.JOJ&BMTPHFUTBQPVOECBU TUVGGFE;JNCBCXFBOLVEVCVDLGPS CVUUIF.JOJ&μTUISPUUMFJTTPGU*UNPWFT
UFSZQBDLXJUIMJUIJVNJPODFMMTUIBU JGXFDPVMEGJUJUJOUPUIFDBS5IFCBUUFSZ BXBZXJUIBDBTVBMHBJU
UBLJOHBOVOIVS
MPPLTMJHIUMZMBSHFSUIBO""CBUUFSJFT5IF DSBNNFE.JOJ&DBOμUIPMEBTUVGGFE4IJI SJFETFDPOETUPIJUNQI5IFTUFFS
CBUUFSZQBDL
BMTPDPPMFECZBHVTUZCMPXFS
5[V
NVDIMFTTBLVEV
TPXFEFQBSUFEIJT JOHJTTUJMM.JOJRVJDL
CVUUIF&JTNPTU
2:42 P
M 3:23 P
M 3:51 P
M
OUR KUDU DEBUT IS DOO-DOO. SIR, DON’T SQUEEZE THE AVOCADOS! NO ROOM FOR A BACK SEAT.
AUG
2009 63
4:22 P
M
GREEN INK
Arturo Hernandez holds down “Crash
Rustic,” a.k.a. David Oser, as he gets
branded as recyclable.
NO MERE 9-VOLTS
use most of what it’s got. This 15 years. If we take at face
plays hell on the battery, but if value GM’s promise of the
the device will be obsolete in plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt
HOW DO LAPTOP BATTERIES DIFFER two years anyway, go for it.
Such batteries are “energy”
late next year, we are told it
will have a 16-kilowatt-hour
FROM THE ONES IN CARS? batteries, optimized to be lithium-ion battery weighing
big gas tanks supplying slow 400 pounds, the same energy
Sincerely,
DigitalFit™
Proudly Designed,
Engineered and Manufactured
FloorLiner™
in the USA
To Order:
800-441-6287
Specialists in Original Equipment and
2435 Wisconsin Street • Downers Grove, IL 60515 • 630-769-1500 • fax 630-769-0300 Aftermarket Automotive Accessories
All-Weather Floor Mats
We’ve been
protecting your
vehicles for over 20 years.
Still, the best mats for your car,
Proudly Designed,
Engineered and Manufactured
in the USA
truck, SUV or minivan!
Accessories available for:
Acura • Audi • BMW • Buick • Cadillac • Chevrolet • Chrysler • Dodge • Ferrari • Ford • GMC • Honda • Hummer • Hyundai • Infiniti •
Isuzu • Jaguar • Jeep • Kia • Land Rover • Lexus • Lincoln • Maserati • Mazda • Mercedes-Benz • Mercury • Mini • Mitsubishi • Nissan •
Oldsmobile • Plymouth • Pontiac • Porsche • Saab • Saturn • Scion • Subaru • Suzuki • Toyota • Volkswagen • Volvo • And More!
©2009 MacNeil Automotive Products Limited
How many more spills are going to trash
your car before you make the call!
Toyota Sienna
DigitalFit™
Cargo Liners
Proudly Designed,
Engineered and Manufactured
in the USA
To Order:
800-441-6287
Specialists in Original Equipment and
2435 Wisconsin Street • Downers Grove, IL 60515 • 630-769-1500 • fax 630-769-0300 Aftermarket Automotive Accessories
Side Window Deflectors
We pay regular shipping within the 48 contiguous states, when shipped to the same address on additional sets of floor mats or a cargo liner when purchased in combination with a set of front floor mats; or additional sets of Side Window Deflectors when purchased in combination with a front set of Side Window Deflectors; or an additional ClearCover™; or an
*
additional PlateFrame™. WE GUARANTEE YOUR SATISFACTION. If you are not satisfied with your order, call to return your unused product within 30 days for a complete refund, less shipping & packaging. Prices subject to change without notice.
MudFlap MudFlap
Introducing, the WeatherTech® No-Drill MudFlap! Featuring the
Patent Pending QuickTurn™ hardened Stainless Steel fastening Protect your vehicle!
system. The No-Drill MudFlap set literally “mounts-in-minutes™”
in most applications without the need for wheel/tire removal. Most
importantly - without the need for drilling into the vehicle’s fragile
painted metal surface! Contoured specifically for each application and
molded from a proprietary thermoplastic resin, the WeatherTech®
No-Drill MudFlap will offer undeniable vehicle protection. Check for
our latest applications at weathertech.com; there are new
applications every month.
Pet Barrier
Keep your pet safe!
™
Easy-On Stone & Bug Deflector
A stylish addition to your SUV, truck, minivan and some cars. Extremely
scratch-resistant, mounts easily to your vehicle without the need for
drilling. Helps
protect against
The adjustable, expandable Pet Barrier, keeps pets safely in stone chips
the rear of your vehicle. Easily installs without tools or and bug
drilling. Heavy-duty 5⁄8" diameter telescopic tubing. stains.
RackSack ™
ClearCover ™
Sunroof Wind Deflector
Specialists in Original Equipment and
Aftermarket Automotive Accessories
WeatherTech.com
License Plate Covers and 800-441- 6287
Frames available in many
styles and colors. Get more fresh air! Canadian customers please go to:
WeatherTechCanada.com
2435 Wisconsin Street • Downers Grove, IL 60515 • 630-769-1500 • fax 630-769-0300 ©2009 MacNeil Automotive Products Limited
ROAD TEST 2010 JAGUAR XFR
AUG
74 2009
DRIVING A 510-HP JAG XFR ON A DIRT
TRACK IS JUST WRONG. SO HOW COME
IT FEELS SO RIGHT?
BY MARK GILLIES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARC URBANO
"QQFBSBODFTDBOCFEFDFJWJOH JOUIFXJMETPG.JDIJHBOJTOμUFYBDUMZ
+BHVBST BSF GPS PME HFF[FST
DSJDLFU
CVUUIFO
UIBUHBNFJTEFDFJW
BSFOμU UIFZ "OE UIFZ EFGJOJUFMZ JOH
UPP5PUIFPVUTJEFS
DSJDLFUJTB
TIPVMEOμUCFTQFOEJOHUJNFPOBEJSU TDSFXZ&OHMJTIHBNFXJUIJNQFOFUSB
PWBM
UIBUNPTUEPXOIPNFPG"NFSJ CMFSVMFT
QMBZFEJOCVDPMJDTFUUJOHT
DBOBVUPNPUJWFQMBZHSPVOET
TIPVME CZ QFSTPOT ESFTTFE JO XIJUF TUSFFU
UIFZ #VUUIFOFX9'3NPTUDFSUBJOMZ DMPUIJOH#FUXFFOKBDLSBCCJUCVSTUT
JTOμUGPSUIF""31TFU
BOEBMMUIBU PGBDUJWJUZ
UIFSFμTOPBDUJPOBTJEFGSPN
JUPGGFSTDBOμUCFFYQMPJUFEGVMMZPOB UIFFBUJOHPGDSVTUMFTTDVDVNCFSTBOE
QBWFEQVCMJDSPBE XJDIFTBOEUIFTJQQJOHPGUFB
0O UIF TVSGBDF
JUμT FMFHBOU BOE #VUVOEFSUIJTWFOFFSPGHFOUJMJUZ
SFGJOFE:FUJUBMTPIBTIPSTFQPXFS DSJDLFU JT B WJDJPVT HBNF JO XIJDI
DBQBCMFPGUFBSJOHUIFUBJMMPPTFBUB CPXMFST UIFZμSF DBMMFE QJUDIFST JO
UXJUDIPGUIFTUBCJMJUZDPOUSPMCVUUPO CBTFCBMM
USZUPNBJNCBUTNFOXJUI
THE HIGHS *UμTBMVHVCSJPVT+BNBJDBOGBTUCPXMFS PVODFCBMMTNBEFPGDPNQSFTTFE
Tremendous straight-line performance, XIPμTZPVSCFTUGSJFOEVOUJMIFUBLFT MFBUIFSBOEDPSLBOEXPPMUIBUBSF
entertaining chassis, elegant styling. UPUIFGJFMEBOEUSJFTUPLOPDLZPVS IVSMFEBUVQUPNQI*UμTBMTPBHBNF
IFBEPGG JOXIJDI²TMFEHJOH³JTBOBSUGPSN
5PUFTUPVSUIFPSZUIBUUIF9'3JT &YBNQMF"CPXMFSZFMMTBUBCBUT
THE LOWS
SFBMMZBOPMETUZMFNVTDMFDBSBUIFBSU
NBO²8IZBSFZPVTPGBU ³3FUPSU
Hardly a bargain, overly complex
XFEFDJEFEUPUBLFJUUP#VUMFS.PUPS ²#FDBVTFFWFSZUJNF*NBLFMPWFUP
driver interface, a bit tight in back.
4QFFEXBZ
BUISFFFJHIUITNJMFESJGU ZPVSXJGF
TIFHJWFTNFBCJTDVJU³
JOHOJSWBOBOFBS2VJODZ
.JDIJHBO "OEUIFTQFDUBUPSTPOUIFTJEFMJOFT
THE VERDICT "TBQMBZHSPVOEGPSMBSHF
PWFSQPX XIPBSFDMBQQJOHBOEQSPWJEJOHWPDBM
A hoon in cricket whites. FSFE7TUPDLDBST
JUμTUIFQFSGFDU GPPUOPUFT CVUOPUUPPMPVEMZ
TVDIBT
QMBDF±OPDPQT
POMZPOFDPODSFUFXBMM ²(PPETIPX³±XFMM
UIFZμSFESVOL
UPIJU±UPXSJOHPVUBOPUIFSPWFSQPX 8IZ FMTF XPVME UIFZ UVSO PVU GPS
FSFE7TFEBO EBZTPOFOE
FYDFQUBTBOFYDVTFUP
/PX
JU NJHIU TFFN UIBU UBLJOH HPCPP[JOH
UIJT
TQPSUTTFEBOUPBOPWBM 8FXFSFBMSFBEZQBSUJBMUPUIF9'
AUG
2009 75
XIJDI XPO B TQPU PO $BS BOE %SJWFSμT IFBETBOEGPVSWBMWFTQFSDZMJOEFS5IF 5IFDIBTTJTHFUTBSBGUPGDIBOHFT+BH
#FTUMJTUGPS5IVTUIF3NPEFMPG OFXTVQFSDIBSHFSJTBO&BUPO574 5XJO DMBJNTUIFTQSJOHSBUFTBSFTUJGGFSCZ
UIJT+BHVBS
XIJDIIBTNPSFQPXFS
NPSF 7PSUJDFT4FSJFT
3PPUTUZQFVOJUUIBUGFFET QFSDFOUBOEUIFBOUJSPMMCBSTCZBCPVU
CSBLF
BOE NPSF HSJQ
JT BO BQQFBMJOH UISPVHIUXJOJOUFSDPPMFSTBOESVOTBNBY QFSDFOU5IF3HFUTBTUFFSJOHSBDLUIBUμT
DPODFQU5PUVSOJUJOUPBDPNQFUJUPSGPS JNVNPGQPVOETPGCPPTU5IFFOHJOFμT BCPVUQFSDFOURVJDLFSUIBOUIFTUPDL
VOIJOHFE TFEBOT TVDI BT UIF $BEJMMBD NPTUTJHOJGJDBOUOFXUFDIOPMPHZJTUIFVTF DBSμT
QMVT#JMTUFJODPOUJOVPVTMZWBSJBCMF
$547
.FSDFEFT#FO[ & ".(
BOE PGEJSFDUGVFMJOKFDUJPO
XIJDIBMMPXTUIF TIPDLT5IFZQSPHSFTTJWFMZBMUFSEBNQJOH
#.8.
+BHVBSTUBSUFEXJUIUIFFOHJOF DPNQSFTTJPOSBUJPUPKVNQGSPNUP BDDPSEJOHUPWFSUJDBMNPWFNFOU
QJUDI
BOE
"MUIPVHIUIFMJUFSTVQFSDIBSHFE7 5IFOVNCFSTUIJTFOHJOFQSPEVDFT SPMMSBUF5IFSFμTBMTPBEZOBNJDNPEFUIBU
TIBSFTUIFTBNF"+7OPNFODMBUVSFBT BSFCJHIPSTFQPXFSBUSQNBOE GVSUIFSTUJGGFOTUIFEBNQJOHBOEIPMETUIF
UIFMJUFSFOHJOFUIBUDBSSJFTPWFSJO QPVOEGFFUPGUPSRVFBUSQN USBOTNJTTJPOJOHFBS
FWFOBUSFEMJOF
XIFO
UIFCBTF9'
UIFPOMZDPNQPOFOUTUIBUBSF 1FSIBQTUIFNPTUJNQPSUBOUESJWFMJOF TIJGUJOHNBOVBMMZ
TIBSFEBSFUIFWBMWFUBQQFUTBOEUIFIFBE DIBOHFJTBOFMFDUSPOJDBMMZDPOUSPMMFEEJG 4VCMJNFMPPLJOH JODI XIFFMT BSF
CPMUT5IFOFXCMPDLJTNBEFPGIJHIQSFT GFSFOUJBMUIBUVTFTBOFMFDUSJDNPUPSBOEB TIPE XJUI XJEF
MPXQSPGJMF %VOMPQ 41
TVSFEJFDBTUBMVNJOVNBOEJTJODI CBMMSBNQBTTFNCMZBDUJOHPOBNVMUJQMBUF 4QPSU.BYYSVCCFS
JOGSPOUBOE
TIPSUFSUIBOUIBUPGUIFPMECFDBVTFUIF DMVUDIQBDL5PCFTUEFMJWFSUIFQPXFSUP PVUCBDL
UIFTBNFTJ[FTBTUIFPVU
PJMQVNQJTOPXMPDBUFEJOTJEFUIFFOHJOF UIFHSPVOE
UIFEJGGDBOCFWBSJFEGSPN HPJOH9'4VQFSDIBSHFENPEFMμT1FFLJOH
SBUIFSUIBONPVOUFEFYUFSOBMMZ GVMMZPQFOUPMPDLFE
EFQFOEJOHPOBWBSJ GSPN CFIJOE UIF BMVNJOVN XIFFMT BSF
-JLF UIF PME 7
JU IBT BMVNJOVN FUZPGQBSBNFUFST JODIEJBNFUFS GSPOU BOE JODI
AUG
76 2009
ROAD TEST
CAR ANDDRIVER •C O M /J A G U A R X F R
K.C. COLWELL
A 510-hp sedan might pass for par
in some SoCal social circles, but
in Hoovervillesque Michigan, this
Jag is an eye magnet. Just ask the
state trooper who pulled me out of
85-mph traffic just to say hi. If he
had been in the car with me, the
trooper would have realized that
the XFR might have the best ride
of any car in its class—effectively
cloaking velocity from the driver.
I had hopes the interior’s unique
aluminum trim would distract
him from his laser gun’s 92-mph
reading, but, sadly, it didn’t.
AUG
78 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
2010 JAGUAR XFR
Price Vehicle type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan Fuel Capacity 18.4 gal
(AS TESTED)
Options: none EPA C/D
$80,000
Standard: power windows, seats, locks, and sunroof; remote locking; cruise control; tilting CITY HWY OBSERVED
and telescoping steering wheel
BASE: $80,000 Audio system: Bowers & Wilkins; AM, FM, Sirius radio; CD player; minijack and USB inputs; 15 21 15
iPod connector; 14 speakers MPG REQUIRED FUEL: 91 OCTANE
ENGINE DIMENSIONS
Supercharged and intercooled V-8, Wheelbase: 114.5 in Length: 195.3 in
aluminum block and heads Height: 57.5 in Width: 73.9 in
Bore x stroke: 3.64 x 3.66 in, 92.5 x 93.0mm Front track: 61.4 in Rear track: 61.9 in
Displacement: 305 cu in, 5000cc
Drag area: Cd (0.29) x frontal area
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel-delivery system: direct injection
(27.1 sq ft, est) = 7.9 sq ft (est)
Supercharger: Eaton R2300 Ground clearance: 4.6 in
Maximum boost pressure: 11.6 psi WEIGHT
Valve gear: chain-driven double Curb: 4400 lb Per horsepower: 8.6 lb
overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, DISTRIBUTION
variable intake- and exhaust-valve Front: 52.7% Rear: 47.3% HANDLING
timing TOWING CAPACITY: 0 lb TEST RESULTS
Power (SAE net): 510 bhp @ 6000 rpm ROADHOLDING
GVWR: 5170 lb ACCELERATION SECONDS
Torque (SAE net): 461 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Redline: 6800 rpm INTERIOR Zero to 30 mph . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8
COMPETITORS
AUG
CARANDDRIVER.COM 2009 79
GZPVVTFBDFMMQIPOF
DIBODFT
UNPROTECTED I BSFZPVμSFBXBSFPG²UFYUNFT
TBHJOH³±CSJFGNFTTBHFTMJN
JUFEUPDIBSBDUFSTUIBUDBO
TEXT
CFTFOUPSSFDFJWFEPOBMMNPEFSONPCJMF
QIPOFT5FYUJOH
BMTPLOPXOBT4.4 GPS
TIPSU NFTTBHF TFSWJDF
JT PO UIF SJTF
VQGSPNCJMMJPONFTTBHFTBNPOUIJO
%FDFNCFSμUPCJMMJPOJO%FDFNCFS
μ6OEPVCUFEMZ
NPSFUIBOBGFXPGUIPTF
NFTTBHFTBSFCFJOHTFOUCZQFPQMFESJWJOH
DBST*TUFYUJOHXIJMFESJWJOHBEBOHFSPVT
JEFB 8FEFDJEFEUPDPOEVDUBUFTU
WE INVESTIGATE IF SENDING MESSAGES 1SFWJPVTBDBEFNJDTUVEJFT±NVDINPSF
TDJFOUJGJDUIBOPVST±DPOEVDUFEJOWFIJDMF
ON YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING TJNVMBUPSTIBWFTIPXOUIBUUFYUJOHXIJMF
ESJWJOH JNQBJST UIF ESJWFSμT BCJMJUJFT
IS MORE LOL THAN OMFG. #VUBTGBSBTXFLOPX
OPTUVEZIBTCFFO
DPOEVDUFEJOBSFBMWFIJDMFUIBUJTCFJOH
BY MICHAEL AUSTIN ESJWFO"MTP
XFEFDJEFEUPDPNQBSFUIF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON KILEY SFTVMUTPGUFYUJOHUPUIFFGGFDUTPGESVOL
ESJWJOH
POUIFTBNFEBZBOEVOEFSUIF
AUG
80 2009
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
FOR MORE
WATCH ALTERMAN HUMILIATE
HIMSELF IN FRONT OF HIS MINIONS.
CAR ANDDRIVER •C O M / T E X T I N G
TRIGGER HAPPY
Austin (right) triggers the windshield-
mounted light in simulation of a leading
car’s brake lights. Brown ignores it.
DPHOJUJWFQPXFSBTTPDJBUFEXJUIJNQBJSFE
ESJWJOHXFSFOμUSFBMMZFYQPTFEIFSF
#PUITPDJBMMZBOEMFHBMMZ
ESVOLESJW
JOHJTDPNQMFUFMZVOBDDFQUBCMF5FYUJOH
POUIFPUIFSIBOE
JTTUJMMJOJUTGPSNBUJWF
QFSJPEXJUISFTQFDUUPMBXTBOEPQJOJPO"
GFXKVSJTEJDUJPOTIBWFQBTTFEPSEJOBODFT
BHBJOTUUFYUJOHXIJMFESJWJOH#VUFWFOJG
NQIBOEPWFSUISFFBOEBIBMGTFDPOETXIJMFUFYUJOHBUNQI&WFOJOUIFCFTUPGIJT TXFFQJOHMFHJTMBUJPOXFSFQBTTFEUPPVUMBX
CBESFBDUJPOUJNFTXIJMFSFBEJOHPSUFYUJOH
"MUFSNBOUSBWFMFEBOFYUSBGFFUQBTUIJT BOZUZQJOHCFIJOEUIFXIFFM
JUXPVMETUJMM
CBTFMJOFQFSGPSNBODFJOUIFXPSTUDBTF
IFXFOUGFFUGBSUIFSEPXOUIFSPBE.PSF CFEJGGJDVMUUPFOGPSDFUIFMBX
PWFS
IJTUXPIBOETPOUIFQIPOFUFDIOJRVFSFTVMUFEJOTPNFTFSJPVTMBOFESJGUJOH *OPVSUFTU
OFJUIFSTVCKFDUIBEBOZJEFB
5IFQSPHOPTJTEPFTOμUJNQSPWFXIFOZPVMPPLBUUIFMJNJUBUJPOTPGPVSUFTU8F UIBUVTJOHIJTQIPOFXPVMETMPXEPXOIJT
XFSFVTJOHBTUSBJHIUSPBEXJUIPVUBOZUSBGGJD
SPBETJHOBMT
PSQFEFTUSJBOT
BOE SFBDUJPOUJNFTPNVDI-JLFNPTUGPMLT
XFXFSFPOMZMPPLJOHBUSFBDUJPOUJNFT&WFOUIPVHIPVSZPVOHESJWFSGBSFECFU UIFZUIJOLUIFZμSFQSFUUZHPPEESJWFST0VS
UFSUIBOUIFCBMEJOH"MUFSNBO
#SPXOμTNFUIPEPGIPMEJOHUIFQIPOFVQBCPWFUIF SFTVMUTQSPWFPUIFSXJTF
BUCPUIDJUZBOE
EBTICPBSEBOEUZQJOHXJUIPOFIBOEXPVMENBLFJUEJGGJDVMUUPEPBOZUIJOHFYDFQU IJHIXBZTQFFET5IFLFZFMFNFOUUPESJW
IJUUIFCSBLFT"OEJGBOZUIJOHJOUIFQFSJQIFSZSFRVJSFEBSFTQPOTF
XFMM
CPUI JOHTBGFMZJTLFFQJOHZPVSFZFTBOEZPVS
ESJWFSTXPVMEQSPCBCMZCFTDSFXFE NJOEPOUIFSPBE5FYUNFTTBHJOHEJTUSBDUT
"MTP
EPOμUUBLFUIFJOUPYJDBUFESFTVMUTUPCFBDDFQUBCMFKVTUCFDBVTFUIFZμSFBO BOZESJWFSGSPNUIBUQSJNBSZUBTL4PUIF
JNQSPWFNFOUPWFSUIFUFYUJOHOVNCFST5IFZPOMZMPPLCFUUFSCFDBVTFUIFUFYUJOH OFYUUJNFZPVμSFUFNQUFEUPUFYU
UXFFU
SFTVMUTBSFTPIPSSFOEPVTMZCBE5IFCV[[FE+PSEBOIBEUPCFUPMEUXJDFXIJDIMBOFUP FNBJM
PSPUIFSXJTFUZQFXIJMFESJWJOH
ESJWFJO
BOEJOUIFSFBMXPSME
UIBUNJTUBLFDPVMENFBOBIFBEPODSBTI"OEXFSFNJOE FJUIFSJHOPSFUIFVSHFPSQVMMPWFS8FEPOμU
BHBJOUIBUXFPOMZNFBTVSFESFTQPOTFUPBMJHIU±UIFSFEVDUJPOJONPUPSTLJMMTBOE XBOUZPVSFBSFOEJOHVT L
Alterman
Alterman
Alterman
AT 35 MPH AT 70 MPH
Brown
Brown
Brown
Brown
1-800-981-3782 www.tirerack.com
©2009 Tire Rack
ASA GT1 ENKEI PERFORMANCE EKM3 RIAL PORTO
18x8 $164ea. 18x8 $195ea. 18x8 $188ea.
Visit www.tirerack.com to see our entire selection of over 516 wheel styles!
O.Z. ALLEGGERITA HLT O.Z. ULTRALEGGERA HLT AVARUS AV5 mach. black ENKEI PERF. EDR9 BREYTON RACE GTS-R ZINIK Z27 SOFIN
17 18 19 20 18 19 20 15 16 17 18 18 18 19 20
STARTING AT $299 ea. STARTING AT $149ea. STARTING AT $169 ea. STARTING AT $120ea. STARTING AT $309 ea. STARTING AT $149ea.
SEE THEM
ON YOUR CAR
Visit the Upgrade
Garage at
www.tirerack.com.
Experience one-click
access to everything that fits your vehicle, and ® Comes with Red, Chrome Comes with Red, Chrome
keep a wishlist of your favorites. & Carbon Fiber Inserts & Carbon Fiber Inserts
O.Z. SUPERLEGGERA III blk. O.Z. BOTTICELLI ASA AR6 mach. anth. ASA AR9 mach. anth. BREMMER KRAFT BR03
WHAT ABOUT TPMS? 18 19 20 17 18 17 18 18 19 18 19
STARTING AT $826 ea. STARTING AT $255ea. STARTING AT $139 ea. STARTING AT $174 ea. STARTING AT $165 ea.
If your vehicle came equipped with
a direct tire pressure monitoring
system, we can assist you in selecting wheels
that are compatible with its sensors. We also
offer an extra set of sensors for all TPMS systems,
so your tire and wheel package can arrive with
sensors already installed.
TRUCK & SUV Wheels Visit www.tirerack.com to see an additional 104 truck and SUV wheel styles!
ATX CHAMBER Teflon® GRANITE ALLOY GA9 GRANITE ALLOY GA10 MAMBA M4 NASCAR® DAYTONA ULTRA WHEEL NOMAD ZINIK Z12 MAZOTTI
15 16 17 18 15 16 17 18 20 22 17 18 20 22 17 18 20 15 16 17 18 20 22 24
STARTING AT $149ea. STARTING AT $105ea. STARTING AT $109 ea. STARTING AT $149ea. STARTING AT $139ea. STARTING AT $96ea. STARTING AT $99ea.
Hours: EST M-F 8am-8pm SAT 9am-4pm 1-800-981-3782 Prices Subject to Change
Prices Vary by Application www.tirerack.com ©2009 Tire Rack
Ask about our Tire Road
Hazard Service Program
Hours: EST M-F 8am-8pm SAT 9am-4pm 1-800-981-3782 www.tirerack.com ©2009 Tire Rack
Ask about our Tire Road
Hazard Service Program
Eagle F1
Asymmetric
215/45 R- 17X$144
225/45 ZR- 17XL 138
235/40 ZR- 17 159
235/45 ZR- 17XL 150
245/40 ZR- 17XL 174
Potenza RE760 Potenza G 019 Turanza with HTR Z III HTR Z II HTR+ 215/35 R- 18XL 144 Assurance Eagle F1 GS-D3 Eagle GT Ecsta ASX Ecsta SPT KU31
Sport Grid Serenity Techn. 205/50 ZR- 17XL $79 205/45 ZR- 16 $68 195/55 R- 15 $68 225/35 ZR- 18XL 198 Fuel Max 205/55 ZR- 16 $143 195/55 R- 15 $72 195/55 R- 15 $68 205/55 ZR- 16 $73
205/45 ZR- 16 $103 P185/65 R- 15 $71 195/65 R- 15 $109 215/45 ZR- 17 86 205/50 ZR- 16 69 205/40 R- 16 57 P185/60 R- 15 $80 225/55 ZR- 16 167 195/60 R- 15 64 195/60 R- 15 59 225/50 ZR- 16 79
225/40 R- 18XL 176 195/65 R- 15 61
205/50 ZR- 16 101 P195/60 R- 15 72 205/65 R- 15 118 215/50 ZR- 17 81 225/60 ZR- 16 72 205/55 R- 16 73 P185/65 R- 15 74 245/50 ZR- 16 173 195/65 R- 15 64 205/50 ZR- 17 102
235/40 ZR- 18XL 209 205/50 ZR- 15 66
205/55 ZR- 16 106 P195/65 R- 15 75 205/55 R- 16 123 225/45 ZR- 17XL 92 235/60 ZR- 16 77 205/60 R- 16 79 P195/60 R- 15 81 215/45 ZR- 17XL 160 205/60 R- 15 67 215/45 ZR- 17XL 89
225/50 ZR- 16 113 P205/60 R- 15 74 205/60 R- 16 125 235/50 ZR- 18XL 189 205/55 R- 15 68
225/50 ZR- 17 116 205/40 ZR- 17 72 215/40 R- 16 62 P195/65 R- 15 225/45 ZR- 17XL 159 205/65 R- 15 72
225/55 ZR- 16 111 P205/65 R- 15 77 P205/60 R- 16 115 245/35 ZR- 18XL 218 79 205/60 R- 15 62 215/50 ZR- 17XL 102
235/45 ZR- 17 94 205/50 ZR- 17 68 215/60 R- 16 85 P205/60 R- 15 225/45 ZR- 17 158
205/45 ZR- 17XL 104 P215/60 R- 15 76 215/55 R- 16 130 245/40 ZR- 18XL 193 84 215/60 R- 15 68 205/65 R- 15 62 235/45 ZR- 17XL 99
235/50 ZR- 17 123 215/40 ZR- 17 76 225/50 ZR- 16 75 225/60 R- 15 66
215/45 ZR- 17XL 124 195/55 R- 16 92 P215/60 R- 16 140 245/45 ZR- 18XL 230
P205/65 R- 15 79 225/50 ZR- 17 168 205/50 R- 16 87 235/55 ZR- 17 94
235/55 ZR- 17 107 215/45 ZR- 17 74 225/60 R- 16 68 195/50 ZR- 16 70
225/45 ZR- 17XL 130 205/55 R- 16 96 225/55 R- 16 118 245/40 ZR- 17XL 101 245/50 ZR- 16 82 255/35 ZR- 18XL 229
P205/70 R- 15 73 225/55 ZR- 17XL 185 205/55 R- 16 89 245/45 ZR- 17 98
225/45 ZR- 17 76 255/45 ZR- 18XL 223 205/40 ZR- 16 81
235/45 ZR- 17 138 205/55 VR- 16 103 225/55 R- 16 157 245/45 ZR- 17 102 205/40 ZR- 17 65 P215/60 R- 15 85 245/45 ZR- 17 208 205/60 R- 16 79 255/40 ZR- 17 105
235/40 ZR- 17 79 265/35 ZR- 18XL 252 205/45 ZR- 16XL 77
245/40 ZR- 17 146 P205/60 R- 16 92 225/60 R- 16 135 255/40 ZR- 17 99 235/45 ZR- 17 215/40 ZR- 17 80 215/70 R- 15 79 255/40 ZR- 17 207 215/55 R- 16 90 205/50 ZR- 16 75
78 265/40 ZR- 18XL 218 255/45 ZR- 17 101
245/45 ZR- 17 139 P205/60 VR- 16 85 235/60 R- 16 143 275/40 ZR- 17 111 245/40 ZR- 17 215/45 ZR- 17 83 P205/50 R- 16 106 255/45 ZR- 17 229 215/60 R- 16 87 205/55 ZR- 16 74
255/40 ZR- 17 151 215/55 R- 16 100 215/50 R- 17 157
84 275/35 ZR- 18XL 229 255/50 ZR- 17 116
215/40 ZR- 18 106 245/45 ZR- 17 80 215/50 ZR- 17 83 P205/55 R- 16 99 275/40 ZR- 17 234 225/50 R- 16 95 215/50 ZR- 16 92
275/40 ZR- 17 159 P215/60 R- 16 95 215/55 R- 17 158 225/35 ZR- 19XL 198 285/40 ZR- 17 245 215/55 ZR- 16 78 275/40 ZR- 17 119
225/40 ZR- 18XL 111 255/40 ZR- 17 82 225/45 ZR- 17 86 P205/60 R- 16 93 225/55 R- 16 99
225/40 ZR- 18XL 146 P225/60 R- 16 88 225/45 ZR- 18XL 136 225/50 ZR- 17 113 235/35 ZR- 19XL 223 315/35 ZR- 17 323 225/50 ZR- 16 75 285/40 ZR- 17 131
215/35 ZR- 18XL 143 215/65 R- 17 132 P275/40 ZR- 17 92 P205/65 R- 16
245/35 ZR- 19XL 263 90 225/60 R- 16 85 225/55 ZR- 16 83
205/40 R- 17XL 116 235/40 ZR- 18XL 112 235/40 ZR- 17 86 225/40 ZR- 18XL 192 215/40 ZR- 18 118
225/45 ZR- 18 155 205/45 R- 17 102 225/45 ZR- 17 219 235/50 ZR- 18 142
225/40 ZR- 18 97
235/45 ZR- 17 91
P215/55 R- 16
245/40 R- 19XL 311 103 205/50 R- 17XL 110 225/60 R- 16 79 215/45 ZR- 18 119
235/40 ZR- 18XL 152 205/50 R- 17 113 225/50 ZR- 17 165 235/40 ZR- 18 104 P215/60 R- 16
255/30 ZR- 19XL 285 90 235/40 ZR- 18 227 215/45 ZR- 17XL 98 235/60 R- 16 78
245/40 ZR- 18XL 119 235/50 ZR- 17XL 118 225/45 ZR- 18 110
245/35 ZR- 18 172 215/45 R- 17XL 113 225/55 R- 17 157 245/45 ZR- 18XL 145
245/40 ZR- 18 107
245/40 ZR- 17 93 255/35 ZR- 19XL 252
215/65 R- 16 87 235/50 ZR- 18XL 196 215/50 R- 17 110 205/40 ZR- 17XL 69
245/40 ZR- 18XL 159 215/50 R- 17XL 154 235/45 ZR- 17 245 255/45 ZR- 18 118 265/30 ZR- 19XL 252 245/35 ZR- 18 213 205/50 ZR- 17 96 235/40 ZR- 18XL 117
255/35 ZR- 18XL 165 245/45 ZR- 17 98 P225/60 R- 16 94 215/55 R- 17 120 215/40 ZR- 17 89
245/45 ZR- 18XL 165 215/55 R- 17 129 235/50 R- 17 173 255/40 ZR- 18XL 155
265/35 ZR- 18 135
255/45 ZR- 17 101 275/30 ZR- 19XL 303
235/60 R- 16 245/45 ZR- 18XL 231 225/45 ZR- 17XL 102
235/50 ZR- 18 129
255/35 ZR- 18 175 225/50 R- 17 156 235/55 R- 17 144 275/40 ZR- 18 119 108
255/40 ZR- 18 265 215/45 ZR- 17 88 245/45 ZR- 18 132
255/45 ZR- 18XL 162 275/40 ZR- 17 105 245/30 ZR- 20XL 299
235/65 R- 16 92 225/50 ZR- 17 113 215/50 ZR- 17 97
255/40 ZR- 18 167 235/50 R- 17 161 245/45 R- 17 246 275/40 ZR- 18 109 255/30 ZR- 20XL 276 255/45 ZR- 18XL 234 215/55 R- 17 94 265/35 ZR- 18 175
265/35 ZR- 18XL 163 215/35 ZR- 18 99 P215/55 R- 17 225/55 R- 17 114
255/45 ZR- 18 169 245/45 R- 17 129 245/50 R- 17 186 285/30 ZR- 18 139 255/35 ZR- 20XL 247
121
255/55 ZR- 18 217 225/45 ZR- 17 88 275/35 ZR- 18 176
265/40 ZR- 18 164 225/35 ZR- 18 105 P215/60 R- 17 235/45 ZR- 17 113
265/35 ZR- 18 184 P225/60 R- 18 134 P225/60 R- 18 155 285/35 ZR- 18 119 285/25 ZR- 20XL 323
114
275/40 ZR- 18 294 225/50 ZR- 17 99 275/40 ZR- 18 166
275/35 ZR- 18 189 235/40 R- 18XL 259 275/35 ZR- 18 179 235/35 ZR- 19 152 225/40 ZR- 18 98 P215/65 R- 17 92 235/50 ZR- 17 125
275/40 ZR- 18 139 235/40 ZR- 18 103 295/30 ZR- 20XL 379 285/35 ZR- 18 290 225/55 ZR- 17 96 295/30 ZR- 18XL 185
235/35 ZR- 19XL 197 235/50 R- 18 223 245/35 ZR- 20 119 P225/55 R- 17 123 235/55 ZR- 17 121 235/40 ZR- 17 99
245/35 ZR- 19XL 204 245/40 R- 18 260 285/30 ZR- 18XL 179 255/35 ZR- 20 245/40 ZR- 18 109 295/35 ZR- 18 307 215/35 ZR- 19 119
122
HTR 200 P225/60 R- 17 119 245/40 ZR- 17 130 235/45 ZR- 17 98
275/30 ZR- 19XL 229 245/45 R- 18 251 285/35 ZR- 18 189 245/40 ZR- 19XL 330 235/50 ZR- 17 114 225/35 ZR- 19 146
295/30 ZR- 18 185 HTR H4 HTR T4 175/50 R- 13 $51 225/65 R- 17 100 245/45 ZR- 17 113
245/35 ZR- 20XL 205 255/45 ZR- 18XL 276 245/45 ZR- 19 243 235/55 ZR- 17 96 225/40 ZR- 19XL 160
235/35 ZR- 19XL 159 P175/65 R- 14 $56 P165/70 R- 13 $45 175/70 R- 13 45 P235/55 R- 17 127 255/35 ZR- 19XL 272
255/40 ZR- 17 124
245/40 ZR- 17 108
255/30 ZR- 20XL 215 245/45 ZR- 19 340 P185/60 R- 14 49 P175/70 R- 13 47 235/35 ZR- 19 139
245/35 ZR- 19XL 188 185/60 R- 13 46 P235/65 R- 17 105 215/45 ZR- 18XL 125 245/45 ZR- 17 98
255/35 ZR- 20XL 215 255/40 R- 19 326 P185/65 R- 14 52 P185/70 R- 13 49 255/40 ZR- 19 298
245/40 ZR- 19XL 183 195/60 R- 13 49 Assurance 225/40 ZR- 18XL 116 255/40 ZR- 17 108 245/35 ZR- 19 152
275/30 ZR- 20XL 216 Potenza RE050A 275/40 ZR- 19XL 367 P195/60 R- 14 49 P175/65 R- 14 49 265/30 ZR- 19 287
285/30 ZR- 20XL 250 245/45 ZR- 19 172 205/60 R- 13 54 TripleTred 225/45 ZR- 18XL 129 255/45 ZR- 17 108 245/40 ZR- 19 172
Pole Position P195/65 R- 14 56 P175/70 R- 14 49 265/50 ZR- 19XL 208 255/50 ZR- 17 118
255/35 ZR- 19 197 215/50 R- 13 53 P185/70 R- 14 235/40 ZR- 18XL 134 245/45 ZR- 19 166
205/55 ZR- 16 $146 255/40 ZR- 19 192 P195/70 R- 14 56 P185/60 R- 14 55 175/65 R- 14 52
$76 275/40 ZR- 19 272 275/40 ZR- 17 118
R- 14 55 P185/65 R- 14 54 235/50 ZR- 18 153 255/30 ZR- 19 159
205/50 ZR- 17 176 275/30 ZR- 19XL 224 P205/60 175/70 R- 14 49 P195/70 R- 14 87 305/35 ZR- 20 429
245/40 ZR- 18 135
285/40 ZR- 17 136
255/35 ZR- 19XL 173
245/40 ZR- 17 209 275/40 ZR- 19 214 P185/65 R- 15 55 P185/70 R- 14 49 185/60 R- 14 49 P195/60 R- 15 94 245/35 ZR- 21XL 427 215/35 ZR- 18RF 106
245/45 ZR- 17 178 P195/60 R- 15 56 P195/60 R- 14 58 245/45 ZR- 18 143 225/40 R- 18 93 255/40 ZR- 19XL 176
225/35 ZR- 20 159 185/65 R- 14 57 P195/65 R- 15 97 Assurance
255/40 ZR- 17 220 P195/65 R- 15 57 P195/70 R- 14 54 255/40 ZR- 18XL 159 225/45 ZR- 18 123 275/35 ZR- 19XL 183
225/40 ZR- 18 208 245/35 ZR- 20 141 P205/60 R- 15 57 P205/70 R- 14 57 185/70 R- 14 52 P205/60 R- 15 108 TripleTred 235/50 ZR- 18 131
245/40 ZR- 20 177 195/60 R- 14 53 P205/65 R- 15 102 245/40 ZR- 19XL 190 275/40 ZR- 19XL 193
225/45 ZR- 18 216 Potenza RE92A P205/65 R- 15 57 P215/70 R- 14 58 continued 235/45 ZR- 18 125
255/35 ZR- 20XL 148 195/70 R- 14 55 P205/70 R- 15 94 P225/60 R- 16 $116 245/35 ZR- 20XL 149 245/40 ZR- 18 137 285/35 ZR- 19 188
Potenza RE960AS 245/45 ZR- 18XL 233 P225/55 ZR- 17 $121 P215/60 R- 15 60 P195/60 R- 15 61 255/35 ZR- 20XL 147
Pole Position 255/40 ZR- 18 261 275/30 ZR- 20XL 215 P215/65 R- 15 61 P195/65 R- 15 56 205/60 R- 14 56 P215/65 R- 15 101 235/65 R- 16 119 245/45 ZR- 18 136 225/35 ZR- 20 137
195/65 R- 15 $82 265/35 ZR- 18 270 Potenza RE050 275/35 ZR- 20 198 P205/55 R- 16 81 P205/60 R- 15 67 205/70 R- 14 58 P215/70 R- 15 99 P215/50 R- 17 142 265/35 ZR- 22XL 132 255/35 ZR- 18 170 245/35 ZR- 20 109
285/30 ZR- 20XL 219 195/50 R- 15 72 P205/55 R- 16 255/45 ZR- 18 145
205/40 ZR- 17XL 139 275/40 ZR- 18 275 225/40 ZR- 18 $208 P215/55 R- 16 82 P205/65 R- 15 61 116 P215/55 R- 17 141 Eagle F1 265/35 ZR- 18 177 245/40 ZR- 20 127
215/45 ZR- 17XL 146 285/30 ZR- 18 349 Potenza RE050A 265/30 ZR- 22 235 P215/60 R- 16 66 P205/70 R- 15 58 195/60 R- 15 56 235/35 ZR- 20 153
295/25 ZR- 22XL 273 P205/60 R- 16 113 P215/60 R- 17 133 Supercar 275/35 ZR- 18 183
215/50 ZR- 17XL 158 245/35 ZR- 19XL 280 225/40 ZR- 19 $278 P225/50 R- 16 85 P215/60 R- 15 67 195/65 R- 15 66
205/50 R- 15 74 P215/55 R- 16 117 P215/65 R- 17 115 P235/45 ZR- 18 $289 245/40 ZR- 20 166 255/35 ZR- 20 109
235/50 ZR- 17 173 275/30 ZR- 19XL 313 245/40 R- 19 301 HTR Z P225/55 R- 16 84 P215/65 R- 15 62
235/35 ZR- 19XL 218 275/35 ZR- 19XL 308 P225/60 R- 16 69 P215/70 R- 15 61 205/60 R- 15 57 P215/60 R- 16 119 P225/55 R- 17 144 P255/45 ZR- 18 128 255/45 ZR- 20 151 275/30 ZR- 20 213
205/50 ZR- 17 $65 245/30 ZR- 22X 195 275/35 ZR- 20 207
245/35 ZR- 20XL 248 245/35 ZR- 20XL 307 Potenza RE050RFT 245/45 ZR- 17 71 P235/55 R- 16 87 P205/55 R- 16 73 205/65 R- 15 66 215/65 R- 16 112 235/55 R- 17 140 Excellence ROF 285/25 ZR- 22XL 195
255/35 ZR- 20 263 255/35 ZR- 20XL 303 245/45 ZR- 18 $317 P275/40 ZR- 17 94 P245/50 R- 16 91 P215/60 R- 16 68 215/60 R- 15 62 P225/50 R- 16 127 235/65 R- 17 135 195/55 R- 16 $220 285/25 ZR- 22XL 244 235/30 ZR- 22 179
285/30 ZR- 20XL 279 275/30 ZR- 20XL 325 285/40 ZR- 18 398 P315/35 ZR- 17 115 P225/55 R- 17 91 P225/60 R- 16 74 225/50 R- 15 82 225/55 R- 16 126 P225/50 R- 18 152 195/55 R- 16 207 255/30 ZR- 24 184 265/30 ZR- 22 188
Avid TRZ
P185/60 R- 14 $61
P185/65 R- 14 63
P195/70 R- 14 62
P185/60 R- 15 63
P185/65 R- 15 69
P195/60 R- 15 62
Pilot Sport Pilot Sport PS2 Primacy MXV4 Avid W4s S.drive ADVAN S.4. ADVAN P195/65 R- 15 70 Advantage T/A g-Force Super g-Force Sport Exclaim UHP
A/S Plus 205/50 ZR- 17 $187 185/65 R- 15 $103 205/40 ZR- 17XL $85 195/50 R- 15 $64 205/55 R- 16 $134 Neova AD08 P205/60 R- 15 66 185/65 R- 15 $69 Sport A/S 195/50 R- 15 $77 195/50 R- 15 $59
205/55 ZR- 16 $131 205/55 ZR- 17 177 195/60 R- 15 108 215/45 ZR- 17XL 98 195/55 R- 15 70 215/55 R- 16 124 205/50 R- 15 $121 P205/65 R- 15 78 195/65 R- 15 72 205/50 ZR- 15XL $91 195/55 R- 15 83 195/55 R- 15 64
215/55 ZR- 16 145 225/45 ZR- 17 191 195/60 R- 15 145 215/50 ZR- 17 118 205/50 R- 15 87 215/60 VR- 16 119 205/55 R- 16 145 P205/70 R- 15 70 205/60 R- 15 205/45 ZR- 16XL 102 205/50 R- 15 84
P215/60 R- 15 70 77 205/50 R- 15 68
225/50 ZR- 16 168 235/40 ZR- 17 212 195/65 R- 15 111 225/45 ZR- 17 105 205/55 ZR- 15 85 225/50 R- 16 125 225/50 R- 16 158 205/65 R- 15 76 205/50 ZR- 16 105 205/55 R- 15 85 205/55 R- 15 69
235/45 ZR- 17 195 205/60 R- 15 106 225/50 ZR- 17 123 P215/65 R- 15 78 205/55 ZR- 16 102
225/55 ZR- 16 181 195/45 ZR- 16XL 90 225/55 R- 16 129 205/45 R- 17 169 P215/70 R- 15 71 215/60 R- 15 79 205/60 R- 15 74 195/50 ZR- 16 69
225/60 ZR- 16 140 235/50 ZR- 17N0 212 205/65 R- 15 105 195/40 ZR- 16XL 88 225/60 R- 16 125 225/50 ZR- 16 114 215/50 R- 15 96
205/50 R- 17 161 P205/55 R- 16 205/60 R- 16
245/40 ZR- 17 236 205/65 VR- 15 131 235/45 ZR- 17 115
XL 89 82 225/55 ZR- 16 125 205/40 ZR- 16 79
245/50 ZR- 16 165 205/45 ZR- 16XL 91 205/50 R- 17XL 145 215/40 R- 17 170 P205/60 R- 16 77 205/60 R- 16 225/50 R- 15 99
205/45 ZR- 17 182 245/45 ZR- 17 219 215/60 R- 15 85 245/45 ZR- 17 115 205/50 ZR- 16 89 P205/65 R- 16 77
96 245/50 ZR- 16 120
225/60 R- 15 96
205/45 ZR- 16 73
255/40 ZR- 17 242 255/40 ZR- 17 122 215/45 R- 17 162 215/45 R- 17 178 215/60 R- 16 92 225/40 ZR- 17XL 116 205/55 R- 16 74
205/50 ZR- 17 161 225/60 R- 15 133 215/40 ZR- 18XL 122 205/55 ZR- 16 92 225/45 R- 17XL 154 P215/55 R- 16 103 205/40 ZR- 16 77
265/40 ZR- 17 262 225/45 R- 17 187 P215/60 R- 16 215/60 R- 16 94 205/50 ZR- 17 132 215/55 R- 16 76
225/45 ZR- 17 169 215/40 ZR- 16XL 94 82 205/45 ZR- 16 79
225/50 ZR- 17 159 275/40 ZR- 17 285 205/55 R- 16 125 225/40 ZR- 18XL 125 225/50 R- 17 174 235/40 R- 17 198 P215/65 R- 16 80 225/60 R- 16 87 205/50 R- 17XL 126 225/50 ZR- 16 81
335/35 ZR- 17XL 457 205/55 R- 16 149 225/45 ZR- 18 143 215/55 ZR- 16 95 225/55 R- 17 160 235/45 R- 17 204 P225/55 R- 16 105 225/60 R- 16 88 215/45 ZR- 17XL 114 205/50 ZR- 16 84
225/55 ZR- 17 189 225/50 ZR- 16 88 205/55 ZR- 16 85 225/55 R- 16 82
235/45 ZR- 17 181 225/40 ZR- 18 259 205/60 R- 16 120 235/40 ZR- 18XL 139 235/45 R- 17 154 245/40 R- 17 217 P225/60 R- 16 86 235/60 R- 16 104 215/50 ZR- 17 128
205/40 ZR- 17XL 70
225/40 ZR- 18XL 239 205/60 R- 16 171 235/45 ZR- 18 145 225/55 ZR- 16 95 235/50 R- 17 153 P225/65 R- 16 97 225/45 ZR- 17XL 123 215/40 ZR- 16XL 98
235/50 ZR- 17 189 245/45 R- 17 219 215/55 R- 17 118 225/50 ZR- 17 138 205/45 ZR- 17 90
225/45 ZR- 18XL 225 205/65 R- 16 124 245/40 ZR- 18XL 145 195/40 ZR- 17XL 87 245/40 R- 17 171 P225/70 R- 16 85 215/55 ZR- 16 80
235/55 ZR- 17 205 255/40 R- 17 226 P235/60 R- 16 225/55 R- 17 119 235/45 ZR- 17 127 205/50 ZR- 17XL 96
235/40 ZR- 18 288 215/55 HR- 16 125 195/45 R- 17XL 89 245/45 R- 17 173 105 225/50 ZR- 16 87
245/40 ZR- 17 193 215/45 R- 18 222 225/55 R- 17
235/40 ZR- 18XL 267 215/55 R- 16 151 245/45 ZR- 18XL 155 235/65 R- 16 245/40 ZR- 17 147
205/40 ZR- 17XL 88 98 126 215/40 ZR- 17XL 83
255/40 R- 17 176 225/55 ZR- 16 94
245/45 ZR- 17 178 245/40 ZR- 18XL 286 P215/60 R- 16 131 225/35 ZR- 20 127 205/45 ZR- 17XL 101 225/40 R- 18 217 P215/60 R- 17 98 235/55 R- 17 108 245/45 ZR- 17 138 245/50 ZR- 16 109 215/45 ZR- 17 86
245/50 ZR- 17 222 225/40 R- 18XL 194 P215/65 R- 17 93 225/60 R- 18 255/40 ZR- 17 146
255/35 ZR- 18XL 304 225/60 R- 16 131 245/35 ZR- 20 129
XL
205/50 ZR- 17XL 99 235/40 R- 18 195 225/45 R- 18 242 115 255/50 ZR- 16 118 215/50 R- 17XL 97
255/40 ZR- 17 184 P225/55 R- 17 96 255/45 ZR- 17 163
255/40 ZR- 18 298 225/60 R- 16 140 255/35 ZR- 20XL 126 215/35 ZR- 17 102 245/40 R- 18 207 235/40 R- 18 248 P225/60 R- 17 102 205/40 ZR- 17 86 225/45 ZR- 17 90
255/45 ZR- 17 217 265/35 ZR- 18XL 316 225/65 R- 16 132 245/40 R- 18 255 275/40 ZR- 17 141
215/40 ZR- 17XL 101 245/45 R- 18 203 P215/55 R- 18 104 215/35 ZR- 18XL 147 205/45 ZR- 17 118 225/50 ZR- 17 97
275/40 ZR- 17 225 275/35 ZR- 18 340 235/60 R- 16 137 215/45 ZR- 17XL 103 245/45 R- 18 254 P225/50 R- 18
245/50 VR- 18 220 107 225/40 ZR- 18XL 129 205/50 ZR- 17 111 235/45 ZR- 17 97
285/40 ZR- 17 269 295/30 ZR- 18N2 416 215/50 R- 17XL 155 215/50 ZR- 17XL 117 255/35 R- 18 272 P225/55 R- 18 108
255/35 R- 18 220 235/40 ZR- 18 147 215/40 ZR- 17 99 235/50 ZR- 17 112
225/40 ZR- 18XL 205 295/35 ZR- 18 385 215/50 R- 17XL 169 215/55 ZR- 17XL 119 255/45 R- 18 218 255/40 R- 18 260 Avid H4s 245/40 ZR- 18 151 215/45 ZR- 17 107 245/40 ZR- 17 106
225/45 ZR- 18XL 202 335/30 ZR- 18 436 215/55 R- 17 139 225/35 ZR- 17XL 114 265/35 R- 18 224 265/35 R- 18 282 P185/60 R- 14 245/45 ZR- 18 168 225/45 ZR- 17 114 245/45 ZR- 17 98
235/40 ZR- 18 205 235/35 ZR- 19 332 $60
255/45 ZR- 18 174
225/45 ZR- 17 110 225/50 ZR- 17 102
245/35 ZR- 19XL 341 225/45 R- 17XL 175
XL
235/45 ZR- 18XL 204 265/40 R- 18XL 222 285/30 R- 18 329 P185/65 R- 14 62 245/50 ZR- 17 113
225/50 ZR- 17XL 115 P195/60 R- 14 Traction T/A H 275/35 ZR- 18XL 198 225/55 ZR- 17 102
235/50 ZR- 18 196 245/35 ZR- 19XL 341 225/55 R- 17XL 167 275/35 R- 18XL 237 295/30 R- 18 333
P195/65 R- 14
66
185/65 R- 14 $55 275/40 ZR- 18 176 275/40 ZR- 17 121
245/40 ZR- 18 233 245/40 ZR- 19 266 225/55 R- 17XL 178 Harmony 225/55 ZR- 17 120 245/45 R- 19 234 225/35 R- 19XL 265 63 235/45 ZR- 17 105
235/40 ZR- 17 120 P185/65 R- 15 70 195/60 R- 14 58 245/35 ZR- 20XL 168 245/40 ZR- 17 134 215/35 ZR- 18XL 94
245/45 ZR- 18XL 234 245/40 ZR- 19XL 318 235/55 R- 17 162 P175/70 R- 13 $70 255/35WR- 19XL 255 235/35 R- 19 272 P195/60 R- 15 66 P195/65 R- 14 49 255/35 ZR- 20XL 199 225/40 ZR- 18XL 95
255/35 ZR- 18XL 251 255/35 ZR- 19XL 368 225/55 R- 18 179 P175/65 R- 14 83 235/45 ZR- 17XL 116 255/35 R- 19XL 253 245/35 R- 19 283 245/45 ZR- 17 118
P195/65 R- 15 76 P195/70 R- 14 225/45 ZR- 18 111
255/40 ZR- 18 221 255/40 ZR- 19 362 225/60 R- 18 151 P175/70 R- 14 79 235/50 ZR- 17 120 255/40WR- 19XL 242 255/30 R- 19XL 295 P205/60 R- 15 69
68 Traction T/A T 255/40 ZR- 17 121
265/35 ZR- 19 365 245/45 R- 18XL 217 P185/65 R- 14 85 235/55 ZR- 17XL 121 P205/65 R- 15 205/60 R- 14 75 P185/65 R- 14 $59 255/45 ZR- 17 126 235/40 ZR- 18 120
255/45 ZR- 18 212 275/40 R- 19XL 268 255/35 R- 19 294 75
265/35 ZR- 18XL 234 265/35 ZR- 19XL 384 245/40 ZR- 17 113 P215/60 R- 15 74 195/60 R- 15 68 P185/70 R- 14 55 275/40 ZR- 17 142 235/55 R- 18 123
P185/70 R- 14 86 275/40WR- 19XL 265 265/30 R- 19 301
275/35 ZR- 18 248 275/30 ZR- 19XL 391 245/45 ZR- 17XL 119 P215/65 R- 15 73 205/55 R- 16 93 P195/70 R- 14 65 225/35 ZR- 18 137 245/40 ZR- 18 133
P195/65 R- 14 97 275/30 R- 19 306 P205/40 R- 16
275/40 ZR- 18 235 275/35 ZR- 19XL 368 275/40 ZR- 17 131 S.drive continued 71 215/55 R- 16 90 P185/60 R- 15 69 225/40 ZR- 18 137 245/45 ZR- 18 134
P195/70 R- 14 86 295/30 R- 19XL 316 P205/45 R- 16 77 185/65 R- 15 65
285/30 ZR- 18XL 308 285/30 ZR- 19XL 427 215/35 ZR- 18XL 133 245/35 R- 19X$188 225/55 R- 16 107 225/45 ZR- 18XL 148 275/35 ZR- 18 168
285/35 ZR- 19 448 P205/70 R- 14 93 P205/60 R- 16 80 P195/60 R- 15 59
285/35 ZR- 18 288 215/40 ZR- 18XL 134 245/40 ZR- 19 199 P215/60 R- 16 82 P235/45 R- 17 122 235/40 ZR- 18 142 275/40 ZR- 18 154
295/30 ZR- 19XL 497 P205/75 R- 14 86 205/40 ZR- 18XL 129 255/30 R- 19XL 237 P195/65 R- 15 62
225/40 ZR- 19XL 245 225/60 R- 16 101 P245/45 R- 17 133 245/40 ZR- 18 158 215/35 ZR- 19XL 115
305/30 ZR- 19XL 530 P215/70 R- 14 98 225/35 ZR- 18XL 133 255/40 ZR- 19 207 P205/40 R- 17 P205/60 R- 15 65
235/35 ZR- 19XL 269 78
Traction T/A V 255/35 ZR- 18 168 225/35 ZR- 19XL 131
345/30 ZR- 19 480 Pilot Exalto PE2 P185/60 R- 15 101 225/40 ZR- 18XL 134 265/30 R- 19XL 212 P215/40 R- 17 93 P205/65 R- 15 71 265/35 ZR- 18 182
245/35 ZR- 19XL 269 P195/55 R- 15 P205/70 R- 15 70 235/35 ZR- 19XL 142
255/35 ZR- 20XL 397 205/55 ZR- 16N$141 P195/60 R- 15 99 225/45 ZR- 18XL 151 275/30 R- 19XL 220 P215/45 R- 17 97 $87
275/35 ZR- 18 187
245/40 ZR- 19 288 275/35 ZR- 20XL 376 225/50 ZR- 16N0 159 P195/65 R- 15 85 P225/45 R- 17 108 205/55 R- 15 91 P215/60 R- 15 63 245/35 ZR- 19XL 150
245/45 ZR- 19 272 235/40 ZR- 18XL 155 275/35 ZR- 19 217 P225/55 R- 17 275/40 ZR- 18 169
285/30 ZR- 20XL 418 P205/60 R- 15 99 119 205/65 R- 15 89 P215/65 R- 15 69 265/30 ZR- 19XL 162
255/35 ZR- 19XL 269 Pilot Exalto A/S P205/65 R- 15 102 245/35 ZR- 18XL 154 275/40 R- 19 227 225/65 R- 17 109 P205/55 R- 16 76 g-Force
245/40 ZR- 18XL 154 225/35 ZR- 20XL 136 ADVAN 205/50 R- 16 106 275/30 ZR- 19XL 177
255/40 ZR- 19 299 Pilot Sport A/S 225/55 R- 16 $130 P205/70 R- 15 99 P235/45 R- 17 112 P205/60 R- 16 74 T/A KDWS
245/45 R- 18XL 171 245/35 ZR- 20XL 153 Neova AD07L 235/55 R- 17 205/55 R- 16 97 225/30 ZR- 20XL 145
275/30 ZR- 19XL 289 Plus continued 205/50 R- 17 194 117 P205/65 R- 16 72 245/55 ZR- 18$169
275/35 ZR- 19 328 255/30 ZR- 20X$330 235/45 R- 17 168 P215/65 R- 15 111 255/35 ZR- 18XL 173 245/40 ZR- 20XL 144 175/55 ZR- 16LO$192 235/65 R- 17 114 P215/50 R- 16 118
P215/55 R- 16 89
245/35 ZR- 20XL 120
275/40 ZR- 19 323 255/35 ZR- 20XL 305 P215/70 R- 15 97 265/35 ZR- 18XL 187 255/30 R- 20XL 158 225/45 ZR- 17 271 P245/45 R- 17 118 225/50 R- 16 114 P215/60 R- 16 85 Traction T/A Spec
245/40 ZR- 20XL 133
205/55 R- 16 113 215/35 ZR- 19X 160 255/35 ZR- 20XL 153 ADVAN A048 P255/40 R- 17 124 225/55 R- 16 255/35 ZR- 20XL 113
285/30 ZR- 19XL 353 275/30 ZR- 20 308 Pilot Sport A/S
XL
P225/40 R- 18 118
114 215/65 R- 16 85 P215/60 R- 17 $101
245/30 ZR- 20XL 275 275/35 ZR- 20XL 355 Plus ZP P205/60 R- 16 111 225/35 ZR- 19X 172 275/30 ZR- 20XL 166 competition tire P225/60 R- 18 112 215/50 R- 17 113 P225/60 R- 16 83 P215/65 R- 16 84 275/35 R- 20XL 208
245/35 ZR- 20XL 248 285/30 ZR- 20XL 287 245/45 ZR- 17R$205 215/65 R- 16 104 235/35 ZR- 19XL 178 275/35 ZR- 20XL 181 195/50 ZR- 16L$219 P235/65 R- 18 131 225/50 R- 17 117 P235/55 R- 16 97 P235/60 R- 16 113 285/30 ZR- 20XL 197
245/40 ZR- 20 368 295/25 ZR- 20XL 338 275/40 ZR- 18RFT260 P225/60 R- 16 115 245/30 ZR- 19XL 188 285/30 ZR- 20XL 193 225/45 ZR- 17LT 259 255/45 R- 20 155 245/45 R- 18 159 P225/55 R- 17 93 P235/65 R- 17 112 295/25 ZR- 22XL 293
SPECIALS
Hours: EST M-F 8am-8pm SAT 9am-4pm 1-800-981-3782 Pricing Effective July 1-31, 2009
Prices Subject to Change www.tirerack.com ©2009 Tire Rack
Ask about our Tire Road
Hazard Service Program
Five Rib Asymmetric Tread Pattern 205/50 ZR- 17 XL 235/50 ZR- 18 245/45 ZR- 19
Large outboard tread blocks promote responsive 215/45 ZR- 17 245/40 ZR- 18 XL 255/35 ZR- 19
215/50 ZR- 17 245/45 ZR- 18 XL 255/40 ZR- 19
handling, high-speed stability and dry road traction. 225/45 ZR- 17 XL 255/35 ZR- 18 XL 275/30 ZR- 19 XL
225/50 ZR- 17 255/40 ZR- 18 XL 275/40 ZR- 19
Wide Circumferential 235/45 ZR- 17 255/45 ZR- 18 XL 225/35 ZR- 20
and Long Lateral Grooves 235/50 ZR- 17 265/35 ZR- 18 XL 245/35 ZR- 20 XL
provide drainage that helps evacuate water to 235/55 ZR- 17 265/40 ZR- 18 245/40 ZR- 20
increase wet traction and hydroplaning resistance. 245/40 ZR- 17XL 275/35 ZR- 18 255/35 ZR- 20 XL
245/45 ZR- 17 275/40 ZR- 18 275/30 ZR- 20 XL
Continuous Inboard Ribs 255/40 ZR- 17 285/30 ZR- 18 XL 275/35 ZR- 20
improve tire longevity by resisting irregular wear 275/40 ZR- 17 285/35 ZR- 18 285/30 ZR- 20 XL
associated with independent rear suspensions. 215/40 ZR- 18 295/30 ZR- 18 265/30 ZR- 22
225/40 ZR- 18 XL 235/35 ZR- 19 XL 295/25 ZR- 22 XL
225/45 ZR- 18 XL 245/35 ZR- 19 XL
235/40 ZR- 18 XL 245/40 ZR- 19 XL
For a complete list of sizes and prices visit www.tirerack.com NOTE: Like all summer tires, the HTR Z III is not
intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures,
through snow or on ice.
Sumitomo HTR+
9PXVE,MKL4IVJSVQERGI%PP7IEWSR
The HTR+ (High Technology Radials-Plus All-Season traction)
was developed to meet the year-round driving needs of sports
car, coupe and sedan drivers by blending dry and wet road
performance with light snow traction. HTR+ radials combine
HIGHTECHRADIAL
Sumitomo’s high-tech, ultra high-performance materials with
PLUS their All-Season technology.
Hours: EST M-F 8am-8pm SAT 9am-4pm 1-800-981-3782 www.tirerack.com ©2009 Tire Rack
Ask about our Tire Road
Hazard Service Program
Extreme Extreme ContiProContact Direzza DZ101 Direzza Sport SP Sport Firehawk Indy Ventus R-S3 VRi ZRi PZero Rosso PZero
Contact DWS Contact DW 175/65 R- 15 $79 195/50 R- 15 $61 Z1 Star Spec Signature 500 225/45 ZR- 15 $124 195/55 R- 15 $70 205/55 ZR- 16 $81 Asimmetrico 225/45 ZR- 17X$185
205/55 R- 16 $97 205/55 R- 16 $107 P185/65 R- 15 74 195/55 R- 15 69 195/55 R- 15 $86 205/65 R- 15 $76 P215/70 R- 14 $74 225/50 ZR- 16 123 205/50 R- 16 75 225/50 ZR- 16 91 225/45 ZR- 17 $133 235/45 ZR- 17XL 224
225/55 R- 16 104 235/45 R- 17 138 195/55 R- 15XL 97 205/50 R- 16 205/55 R- 16 P225/70 R- 14 78 205/55 R- 16 73 235/45 ZR- 17XL 154
195/60 R- 15 66 205/50 R- 15 61 102 89 225/45 ZR- 17XL 142 215/60 R- 16 71 225/55 ZR- 16 92 245/45 ZR- 17XL 275
225/45 R- 17 122 235/50 R- 17 159 P205/60 R- 16 81 P215/65 R- 15 80 245/40 ZR- 17 221
245/45 R- 17 145 P195/65 R- 15 56 205/55 R- 15 74 205/55 R- 16 101 255/40 ZR- 17XL 152 225/50 R- 16 88 245/45 ZR- 16 102 225/40 ZR- 18XL 225
235/45 R- 17 127
195/65 R- 15 64 215/55 R- 16 89 P215/70 R- 15 75 255/40 ZR- 17N3 229
275/40 R- 17 171 225/50 R- 16 119 245/40 ZR- 18 211 215/50
XL R- 17XL 92 245/50 ZR- 16 98 235/40 ZR- 18XL 283
235/50 R- 17 149 205/60 R- 15 79 195/50 R- 16 71 225/50 R- 16 95 P225/70 R- 15 79 215/55 R- 17 92 235/40 ZR- 18XL 255
245/40 ZR- 18XL 289
245/45 R- 17 129 225/45 R- 18 161 205/70 R- 15 67 205/40 ZR- 16XL 77 215/40 ZR- 17 118 225/55 R- 16 96 P235/60 R- 15 86 265/35 ZR- 18XL 264 P225/55 R- 17 96
205/40 ZR- 17XL 76 245/40 ZR- 18 251
275/40 R- 17 149 235/35 R- 18 199 205/65 R- 15 69 215/45 ZR- 17 125 P235/70 R- 15 82 285/35 ZR- 18XL 300 215/40 ZR- 17 83 255/35 ZR- 18 295 245/45 ZR- 18XL 284
235/40 R- 18 181 205/45 ZR- 16 78 205/50 R- 17XL 104
225/45 R- 18 143 215/60 R- 15 79 225/45 ZR- 17 129 215/45 R- 17XL 97 P255/60 R- 15 92 215/45 ZR- 17 86 255/40 ZR- 18 269 265/40 ZR- 18XL 362
235/40 R- 18 149 235/45 R- 18XL 186 215/60 HR- 15 77 205/50 R- 16 83 P255/70 R- 15 89 Ventus R-S2 255/40 ZR- 18XL 282
235/50 R- 18 189 235/40 ZR- 17 141 215/50 R- 17XL 109 P275/60 R- 15 95 195/60 R- 14 $75 215/50 ZR- 17XL 104 235/35 ZR- 19XL 332
235/40 R- 18XL 181 215/65 R- 15 71 205/55 R- 16 77 255/45 ZR- 18 259 245/35 ZR- 19XL 367
235/45 R- 18XL 179 245/45 R- 18 199 215/70 R- 15 69 235/45 ZR- 17 135 P215/55 R- 17 111 P295/50 R- 15 119 195/50 ZR- 15 77 225/45 ZR- 17 91 265/35 ZR- 18XL 277
255/40 R- 18XL 227 215/45 ZR- 16 123 235/40 ZR- 17 98 245/40 ZR- 19 379
235/50 R- 18 175 225/70 R- 15OWL 73 245/40 ZR- 17 156 225/45 ZR- 17XL 101 205/50 ZR- 15 94 285/40 ZR- 18 418
245/40 R- 18 159 275/35 R- 18 245 235/70 R- 15OWL 79 215/50 R- 16 87 245/45 ZR- 17 146 225/50 ZR- 17 112 Firehawk 235/45 ZR- 17 102 235/35 ZR- 19XL 320 255/40 ZR- 19XL 396
275/40 R- 18 237 205/50 R- 16 115 215/55 R- 16 84 255/40 ZR- 17 161 235/45 R- 17XL 110
Wide Oval 225/45 ZR- 15 99
245/45 R- 18 169 205/50 ZR- 16 $104 245/40 ZR- 17 103 235/45 ZR- 19 310 265/30 ZR- 19XL 399
255/35 R- 18 211 255/40 R- 19XL 239 205/55 R- 16 102 225/50 ZR- 15 99 HRi 245/45 ZR- 19BM269
P205/55 R- 16 91 225/50 R- 16 83 225/40 ZR- 18 166 235/50 R- 17 122 P205/55 R- 16 109 245/45 ZR- 17 103 275/40 ZR- 19XL 409
255/40 R- 18XL 202 275/40 R- 19 245 205/45 ZR- 16 96 185/60 R- 14 $45 255/40 ZR- 19XL 325
245/30 R- 20XL 224 205/60 R- 16 109 225/55 R- 16 90 225/45 ZR- 18 173 235/55 R- 17 118 P225/50 ZR- 16 118 195/60 R- 14 49 255/40 ZR- 17 105 285/30 ZR- 19XL 466
255/45 R- 18XL 189 205/50 ZR- 16 95 255/50 ZR- 19 176
265/35 R- 18XL 225 245/40 R- 20XL 255 P205/60 R- 16 92 205/45 ZR- 17 112 235/40 ZR- 18 182 245/40 ZR- 17XL 121 P225/55 ZR- 16 116 185/65 R- 15 52 P255/45 ZR- 17 110 285/35 ZR- 19 423
295/30 ZR- 19XL 465
255/35 R- 20XL 212 205/65 R- 16 79 245/45 ZR- 17 117 P225/60 ZR- 16 114 205/55 ZR- 16 97 195/60 R- 15 48 245/35 ZR- 20XL 407
275/40 R- 18 211 215/55 R- 16 102 215/40 ZR- 17XL 89 245/40 ZR- 18 187 195/65 R- 15 52 255/50 ZR- 17 125 295/30 ZR- 19N1 433
275/35 R- 20XL 295 225/40 ZR- 18XL 108 P245/50 ZR- 16 125 215/45 ZR- 16 102 255/35 ZR- 20XL 409
235/35 R- 19XL 181 215/55 R- 16XL 104 215/45 ZR- 17 90 245/45 ZR- 18 189 225/45 R- 18XL 127 215/45 ZR- 17 125 205/60 R- 15 51 275/40 ZR- 17 121 315/35 ZR- 20 431
275/40 R- 19 231 215/55 R- 16 111 225/45 ZR- 16 106 205/65 R- 15 54 215/35 ZR- 18ZRF109 295/35 ZR- 21XL 249 265/35 ZR- 20XL 476
215/50 R- 17 90 255/35 ZR- 18 225 P225/60 R- 18 121 235/50 ZR- 17 152
245/30 R- 20XL 211 P215/60 R- 16 77 225/50 ZR- 16 98 215/60 R- 15 54 275/35 ZR- 20XL 387
245/35 R- 20XL 199 225/50 R- 16 122 225/45 ZR- 17XL 97 265/35 ZR- 18 241 235/40 R- 18XL 126 245/45 ZR- 17 143 215/65 R- 15 55
225/40 ZR- 18 95 PZero RFT
P255/45 ZR- 17 175 245/45 ZR- 16 113 235/40 ZR- 18 117 205/50WR- 17 $244
245/40 R- 20XL 253 225/60 R- 16 81 235/45 ZR- 17 99 275/35 ZR- 18 246 235/50 R- 18 144 265/40 ZR- 17 159 215/40 ZR- 17XL 114
225/60 R- 15 56 PZero System
255/35 R- 20XL 159 235/60 R- 16 113 245/45 ZR- 18XL 141 P275/40 ZR- 17 160 205/50 R- 16 69 245/40 ZR- 18 135 205/50 R- 17 233 Asimmetrico
205/50 R- 17 140 245/40 ZR- 17 110 Direzza DZ101 215/45 ZR- 17XL 114 205/55 R- 16 72 225/45 R- 17 198
275/35 R- 20XL 242 245/35 ZR- 20 96 P285/40 ZR- 17 176
XL
265/35 ZR- 18 154 205/45 ZR- 17 $206
215/50 R- 17 131 245/45 ZR- 17 99 continued 225/45 ZR- 17XL 114 205/60 R- 16 59 225/50 R- 17 274
275/40 R- 20XL 231 215/65 R- 17 96 255/35 R- 20XL 136 225/40 ZR- 18 145 215/55 R- 16 78 285/60 R- 18 119 225/45 ZR- 17 173
265/30 R- 22XL 291 ContiSport 255/40 ZR- 17 109 255/35 ZR- 18 $158 235/40 ZR- 17XL 122 245/45 R- 17 309
225/45 R- 17 132 295/35 ZR- 18 235 215/60 R- 16 60 225/35 ZR- 19XL 140 255/40 R- 17 283 245/50 ZR- 17 313
285/30 R- 22XL 305 Contact 225/45 R- 17MO132 265/40 ZR- 17 127 265/35 ZR- 18 153 P255/45 R- 19 219 245/40 ZR- 17XL 126 225/50 R- 16 81 225/40 ZR- 18N3 214
255/30 R- 24XL 349 235/35 ZR- 19ZRF148 205/40 R- 18 260
225/45WR- 17BM199 225/55 R- 17 129 215/35 ZR- 18XL 105 275/35 ZR- 18 155 245/40 ZR- 20XL 235 245/45 ZR- 17XL 125 225/55 R- 16 85
255/40 ZR- 18 248 275/35 ZR- 20 242 245/35 ZR- 19ZRF157 225/40 R- 18 262 265/35 ZR- 18N3 305
ContiPro 235/45 R- 17 131 225/40 ZR- 18 115 215/35 ZR- 19 120
XL 225/60 R- 16 64 245/40 R- 18 333
225/40 ZR- 19 290 235/55 ZR- 17 136 P295/40 R- 20 246 215/35 ZR- 18XL 145 205/40 R- 17XL 63 275/30 ZR- 19ZRF176 275/40 ZR- 18 375
Contact SSR 255/35 ZR- 19 285 235/50 R- 18 139 225/45 ZR- 18 137 225/35 ZR- 19XL 131 225/40 ZR- 18XL 157 215/45 R- 17 74 255/35 ZR- 20 135 255/35 R- 18 359 295/30 ZR- 18N3 392
195/55 R- 16 $141 245/40 HR- 18 159 235/40 ZR- 18 120 245/35 ZR- 19 155
Firehawk Wide 215/50 R- 17 89 245/45 R- 19 433
205/55 R- 16 137 ContiSport Oval RFT 235/40 ZR- 18XL 161 265/50 R- 20 139 275/40 R- 19 454 PZero Rosso
245/40 HR- 18 204 225/45 R- 17 79
205/45 R- 17 202 Contact 2 255/45 R- 18 198 245/40 ZR- 18 131 275/30 ZR- 19 209 SP Sport 9000 P245/40 ZR- 18L$212 265/35 ZR- 18XL 206 235/45 R- 17 88 275/45 R- 20 125 245/35 R- 21XL 509 Direzionale
225/45 R- 17 172 285/30 ZR- 18 $288 245/40 R- 19 228 245/45 ZR- 18 156 255/35 ZR- 20XL 124 285/50 ZR- 18 $178 P285/35 ZR- 19 295 315/30 ZR- 18 268 245/45 R- 17 89 275/55 R- 20 128 275/30 R- 21XL 576 245/40 YR- 19X$370
LIGHT TRUCK & SUV TIRES LIGHT TRUCK & SUV TIRES LIGHT TRUCK & SUV TIRES
Radial F-C II Scorpion ATR Dueler A/T Revo Grabber UHP Geolandar A/T-S CrossContact LX Destination A/T Destination LE Wrangler MT/R
31X10.5 R- 15C OWL $158 P 245/70 R- 16 $133 P 225/75 R- 15OWL $121 205/70 R- 15 $69 205/70 R- 15 $75 215/75 R- 15OWL $91 P 225/70 R- 14OWL $91 P 225/70 R- 14OWL $90 with Kevlar
33X12.5 R- 15C OWL 195 LT 245/75 R- 16E 148 P 235/70 R- 15OWL 132 265/70 R- 15 100 215/70 R- 15 77 235/75 R- 15OWL 94 P 205/75 R- 15OWL 84 P 215/70 R- 15 76 31X10.5 R- 15C $174
LT 215/75 R- 15OWL 92 P 215/75 R- 15OWL
OWL
35X12.5 R- 15C OWL 222 P 265/70 R- 16 147 P 235/75 R- 15OWL 126 215/65 R- 16 86 92 255/70 R- 15OWL 102 P 215/75 R- 15OWL 87 32X11.5 R- 15C 188
LT 265/75 R- 16 E OWL
205 LT 265/75 R- 16 E
149 LT 235/75 R- 156P OWL 140 215/70 R- 16 87 P 225/70 R- 15OWL 83 215/70 R- 16 96 P 225/70 R- 15OWL 98 P 225/70 R- 15OWL 89 LT 33X12.5 R- 15C 195
LT 285/75 R- 16D OWL 204 P 245/65 R- 17 136 LT 30x9.5 R- 15OWL 145 225/70 R- 16 91 P 235/70 R- 15OWL 96 225/75 R- 16 99 P 225/75 R- 15OWL 94 P 225/75 R- 15OWL 89 35X12.5 R- 15C 197
LT 305/70 R- 16D OWL 234 LT 325/60 R- 20
D
266 LT 31x10.5 R- 15OWL 163 235/60 R- 16 87 LT 235/75 R- 15C OWL
P 235/75 R- 15OWL
89 235/65 R- 16 112 P 235/70 R- 15OWL 104 PP 235/70 R- 15
235/75 R- 15OWL
95 LT 235/85 R- 16E 170
235/70 R- 16 95 95 235/70 R- 16 107 LT 235/75 R- 15OWL
93 LT 245/75 R- 16 E
174
LT 315/75 R- 16 D OWL
243 LT 325/45 R- 24 E
423 P 265/70 R- 15OWL 147 30X9.5 R- 15C OWL99 P 235/70 R- 16OWL 106
105 LT 235/75 R- 15C OWL 98 LT 265/75 R- 16E 201
LT 215/85 R- 16E OWL 245/70 R- 16 98 265/70 R- 15 P 235/75 R- 15XL 101 P 255/70 R- 15OWL
LT 265/70 R- 17E OWL 209 Scorpion STR 169
255/55 R- 16
107 245/70 R- 16 105 95 LT 285/75 R- 16E OWL 232
LT 225/75 R- 16E OWL 174 94 31X10.5 R- 15OWL107 245/75 R- 16OWL 108 P 235/75 R- 15XL OWL 102 P 265/75 R- 15OWL 100 LT 305/70 R- 16E 247
LT 285/70 R- 17D OWL 261 P 205/70 R- 15 $97 255/65 R- 16 96 32X11.5 R- 15C OWL LT 30X9.5 R- 15OWL 108 LT 31X10.5 R- 15C OWL
P 235/70 R- 16OWL 142 126 255/65 R- 16 121 109 LT 315/75 R- 16D 259
33X12.5 R- 17D OWL 235 215/65 R- 16 121 265/70 R- 16 99 33X12.5 R- 15OWL133 LT 31X10.5 R- 15OWL 117 P 215/70 R- 16 88 LT 245/70 R- 17C
LT 235/85 R- 16OWL 178 255/70 R- 16OWL 111 194
35X12.5 R- 17D OWL 291 P 215/70 R- 16 119
P 245/70 R- 16OWL 148
275/70 R- 16 102 215/60 R- 16 98 P 265/70 R- 16 119 LT 33X12.5 R- 15OWL 139 P 225/70 R- 16OWL 94 LT 245/70 R- 17E 202
109 P 225/75 R- 16
XL
LT 305/60 R- 18 E
296 P 235/70 R- 16 118 235/65 R- 17XL 115 215/65 R- 16 92 265/70 R- 16 P 235/70 R- 16OWL 94 LT 245/75 R- 17E OWL 219
LT 245/75 R- 1610P/OW 179 121
255/60 R- 17 215/70 R- 16 102 P 235/65 R- 16XL OWL LT 255/75 R- 17
89 102 C OWL
LT 305/70 R- 18E 309 P 255/65 R- 16 153 LT 245/75 R- 16OWL 124 265/75 R- 16OWL 117 P 235/75 R- 16 222
LT 215/85 R- 16D OWL 105 P 235/70 R- 16XL OWL
166 275/55 R- 17 106 99 LT 265/70 R- 17C 234
LT 325/60 R- 18E 293 235/50 R- 18 180 P 245/75 R- 16OWL 136 235/65 R- 17 128 P 235/75 R- 16OWL
137 255/55 ZR- 18XL 225/70 R- 16 98 P 235/75 R- 16 98 LT 265/70 R- 17E 249
LT 325/65 R- 18E 338 P 275/45 R- 20 265 P 255/70 R- 16OWL 119 235/65 R- 17OWL 122 P 245/70 R- 16OWL 109 P 245/70 R- 16OWL
153 255/50 ZR- 19XL LT 225/75 R- 16D OWL
104 104 LT 275/70 R- 17E 258
LT 305/55 R- 20E 317 P 305/50 R- 20 213 LT 265/75 R- 1610P/OW 156
235/60 R- 16 108 245/65 R- 17 129 LT 245/75 R- 16OWL C 133 P 245/75 R- 16OWL 99 LT 285/70 R- 17D 263
200 285/45 ZR- 19 189 245/65 R- 17OWL 131 P 245/75 R- 16OWL 110 P 255/65 R- 16OWL
LT 325/50 R- 20E 348 Scorpion STR A LT 265/75 R- 166P/OWL P 235/70 R- 16OWL 94 116 LT 305/70 R- 17D 279
181 275/55 R- 20XL 124 LT 235/85 R- 16E OWL
108 255/60 R- 17 133 P 255/70 R- 16OWL 119 P 255/70 R- 16OWL 109 LT 315/70 R- 17D 304
35X12.5 R- 20E 350 P 235/75 R- 15XL OWL $109 P 265/75 R- 16OWL 146 285/50 R- 20 265/65 HR- 17
134 P 245/70 R- 16OWL 100 131 P 265/70 R- 16OWL 119 P 265/70 R- 16OWL 114 35X12.5 R- 17C 269
35X13.5 R- 20E 381 P 265/70 R- 15 116 P 275/70 R- 16OWL 172 295/45 R- 20XL 125 LT 245/75 R- 16E OWL
117 265/65 R- 17 131 LT 265/70 R- 16D OWL 146 P 265/75 R- 16OWL 125 37X12.5 R- 17 D
314
P 225/70 R- 16OWL 120 LT 285/75 R- 16OWL 198 295/50 R- 20XL 128 255/65 R- 16 113 275/55 R- 17 156 P 265/75 R- 16OWL 122 LT 265/75 R- 16
C OWL
125 LT 38X14.5 R- 17 D
407
P 265/70 R- 16OWL 137 P 235/65 R- 17OWL 147 305/40 R- 22XL 154 P 255/70 R- 16OWL 108 275/60 R- 17OWL 133 LT 265/75 R- 16OWL C 139 225/65 R- 17 109 LT 275/65 R- 18C 265
P 245/65 R- 17 155 P 235/75 R- 17OWL 150 305/45 R- 22XL 154 P 265/70 R- 16OWL 109 P 245/60 R- 18XL 105 LT 285/75 R- 16OWL E 166 P 235/60 R- 17 112 LT 275/70 R- 18E 289
255/55 R- 18
P 265/70 R- 18 OWL
162 P 245/70 R- 17OWL 154 305/40 R- 23XL 156 LT 265/75 R- 16E 127
275/60 R- 18
154
LT 305/70 R- 16OWL 175 PP 235/65 R- 17
235/70 R- 17XL OWL
114 LT 285/75 R- 18E 328
P 265/65 R- 17OWL 305/40 R- 24XL 264 LT 265/75 R- 16D OWL
122 158 115 LT 275/65 R- 20E 343
187
255/70 R- 18 LT 315/75 R- 16D 192 P 245/65 R- 17OWL LT 285/65 R- 20E
LT 265/70 R- 17OWL E 315/35 R- 24XL 230 275/70 R- 16 111 149 125 362
202
LT 285/75 R- 16D 136 265/70 R- 18OWL 153 P 235/65 R- 17 132 P 245/70 R- 17OWL 119
Dueler H/L Alenza LT 315/75 R- 16D 169 P 235/70 R- 17OWL XL 123 P 255/65 R- 17OWL 127
P 205/70 R- 15OWL $111 225/60 R- 17 119 Vanco 2 P 235/75 R- 17OWL 122 P 265/65 R- 17 131
Crusher 225/65 R- 17 116 C 195/70 R- 15
D
$88 P 245/65 R- 17OWL 135 P 265/70 R- 17OWL 123
31X10.5 R- 15C OWL $167 P 215/75 R- 15OWL 116 P 245/70 R- 17OWL 122 P 265/75 R- 16OWL
Latitude Tour 225/70 R- 17 101 108
33X12.5 R- 15C OWL 203 P 225/70 R- 15OWL 113 235/65 R- 17XL P 245/75 R- 17OWL 126 P 275/60 R- 17OWL 132 Long Trail T/A Tour
P 235/75 R- 15OWL
$123 119
35X12.5 R- 15C OWL 228 P 225/75 R- 15OWL 120 P 235/70 R- 17OWL 107 P 255/65 R- 17OWL 132 P 235/65 R- 18 125 P 215/75 R- 15OWL $79
P 265/70 R- 15 139
LT 265/75 R- 16E OWL 220 P 215/75 R- 16OWL 127
P 235/70 R- 15OWL 116 245/65 R- 17 125 P 255/70 R- 17OWL 129 P 245/60 R- 18OWL 129 P 225/70 R- 15OWL 91
LT 285/75 R- 16D OWL 216 P 225/70 R- 16OWL 161
P 235/75 R- 15OWL 123 LT 245/70 R- 17E 138 P 255/75 R- 17 133 PP 265/60 R- 18
265/65 R- 18
144 P 225/75 R- 15OWL 87
P 265/70 R- 15 150 Grabber HTS 255/65 R- 17 130 P 265/65 R- 17OWL
125 P 235/70 R- 15OWL 97
LT 305/70 R- 16D OWL 246 P 225/75 R- 16OWL 117 P 255/70 R- 17OWL 114
151 P 265/65 R- 18OWL 133 P 235/75 R- 15XL OWL 95
P 215/70 R- 16OWL 139 P 255/70 R- 15 $90 P 265/70 R- 17OWL 134 P 265/70 R- 18OWL
LT 315/75 R- 16E OWL 255 P 235/70 R- 16 149 P 225/70 R- 16OWL 265/65 R- 17 137 139 P 265/70 R- 15OWL 121
LT 265/70 R- 17E OWL 228
142 P 225/70 R- 16 91 LT 265/70 R- 17E LT 265/70 R- 17C OWL 155 P 265/50 R- 20 169 P 265/75 R- 15OWL
P 235/70 R- 16OWL 139 P 225/75 R- 16OWL
151 110
126 235/75 R- 16 91 P 265/70 R- 17OWL 123 Vanco 4 Season LT 275/70 R- 17C OWL 167 P 275/55 R- 20 158 P 215/70 R- 16OWL 98
LT 285/70 R- 17D OWL 280 P 245/70 R- 16 142 P 235/70 R- 16 117 P 235/75 R- 16 95 P 275/60 R- 17OWL 167 C 195/70 R- 15D $108 LT 285/70 R- 17D OWL 183 P 275/60 R- 20OWL 155 P 215/75 R- 16OWL 100
LT 305/65 R- 17E 253 P 245/70 R- 16OWL 135 P 235/75 R- 16OWL 245/70 R- 16 P 285/70 R- 17OWL P 225/70 R- 16OWL
133 97 275/65 R- 17 155 C 215/85 R- 16E 92 144 104
LT 315/70 R- 17D OWL 282 P 245/75 R- 16OWL 147 P 245/70 R- 16 144 P 245/70 R- 16 94 LT 315/70 R- 17D 182 LT 245/75 R- 16E 110 LT 315/70 R- 17D OWL 195 P 225/75 R- 16XL OWL 98
P 255/65 R- 16 159 P 245/75 R- 16OWL 143 P 245/75 R- 16 95 37X12.5 R- 17D 275 P 255/70 R- 18OWL 142 P 235/65 R- 16 120
P 255/70 R- 16OWL 148 255/65 R- 16 159 P 255/65 R- 16 112 225/55 R- 18 140 P 265/60 R- 18OWL 161 P 235/70 R- 16OWL 113
P 265/70 R- 16OWL 167 P 265/70 R- 16OWL 159 P 255/70 R- 16 103 265/60 R- 18 176 Parada Spec-X P 265/70 R- 18OWL 150 P 235/75 R- 16XL OWL 100
P 265/70 R- 18 157 continued P 245/70 R- 16OWL 116
225/65 R- 17 169 P 265/75 R- 16 152 P 265/70 R- 16 104
275/60 R- 18 183 285/50 R- 20XL $135 P 275/65 R- 18OWL 159 P 245/75 R- 16OWL 100
P 245/65 R- 17 169 P 275/70 R- 16 173 P 275/70 R- 16BW 122
LT 275/65 R- 18C OWL
167 295/45 R- 20XL 139 LT 325/65 R- 18E 270 P 255/65 R- 16 117
P 245/65 R- 17OWL 172 225/65 R- 17 139 P 275/70 R- 16 118 305/45 R- 20 185 305/50 R- 20XL 142 P 275/55 R- 20OWL 145 P 255/70 R- 16OWL 115
P 255/60 R- 17 179 235/65 R- 17 133 P 255/65 R- 17 123 255/30 R- 22XL 192 P 275/60 R- 20OWL 167 P 265/75 R- 16OWL 118
P 255/75 R- 17 182 P 245/65 R- 17 165 LT 265/70 R- 17 112 Geolandar H/T-S G052 265/30 R- 22XL 206
Transforce HT
P 225/65 R- 17OWL 144
P 265/65 R- 17OWL 194 P 255/75 R- 17 155 P 265/70 R- 17 116 265/60 R- 18 $140 265/35 R- 22XL 165
LT 235/75 R- 15C
P 235/60 R- 17 122
265/40 R- 22XL P 235/65 R- 17OWL
165 P 275/60 R- 17XL 128 186 $104 123
P 265/70 R- 17 186 275/55 R- 17 Parada Spec-X 285/35 R- 22XL LT 215/85 R- 16E 123 XTi P 235/70 R- 17XL
255/55 R- 18 139 198 131
P 265/70 R- 17OWL 187 P 275/60 R- 17 158 225/65 R- 17 285/40 R- 22XL 224 LT 225/75 R- 16E 125 P 225/70 R- 16 P 235/75 R- 17 125
HTR Sport H/P LT 275/65 R- 18E 170 $107 $86
P 245/60 R- 18 142 255/55 R- 18XL 185 LT 275/70 R- 18E 165 225/60 R- 18 142 285/45 R- 22XL 164 LT 235/85 R- 16E 114 P 235/70 R- 16 89 P 245/65 R- 17OWL 137
255/55 R- 18 $108 P 285/60 R- 18 235/55 R- 18 305/40 R- 22XL P 245/70 R- 17OWL
P 265/70 R- 18 203 199 275/55 R- 20XL 137 148
305/45 R- 22XL
154 LT 245/75 R- 16 E
129 P 245/70 R- 16 94 127
285/60 R- 18 275/40 R- 20XL 235/60 R- 18 157 P 255/65 R- 17OWL
134 P 255/70 R- 16
114 P 275/55 R- 18 234 142 98 129
183
245/60 R- 18 285/35 R- 23XL 179 LT 265/75 R- 16 E
P 255/70 R- 17OWL
275/45 R- 20 117 P 255/60 R- 19 108 P 275/55 R- 20 183 151
LT 265/75 R- 16E OWL 134 P 265/70 R- 16C 106 132
235/55 R- 19 162 285/40 R- 23XL 218 P 265/65 R- 17 141
275/55 R- 20XL 126 P 285/45 R- 22 210 245/45 R- 20 142 305/40 R- 23XL 204 LT 8.75 R- 16.5E 125 LT 265/75 R- 16 116
P 265/70 R- 17OWL 133
285/50 R- 20 129 Latitude Sport 285/40 R- 24XL P 235/65 R- 17 109
255/55 ZR- 18XL $276 245/50 R- 20 160 316 LT 9.50 R- 16.5E 136 P 245/65 R- 17 114 P 275/60 R- 17OWL 120
P 295/45 R- 20 133 255/45 R- 20XL 141 295/35 R- 24XL 339 LT 235/80 R- 17E 138 P 265/65 R- 17 P 235/65 R- 18 134
305/50 R- 20 275/45 ZR- 19XL 280 255/50 R- 20XL 155 305/35 R- 24XL 339 121 P 265/70 R- 18OWL 144
126 LT 245/70 R- 17E 135 P 265/70 R- 17 109
265/35 R- 22XL 275/45 ZR- 20XL 347 265/50 R- 20XL 141 315/35 R- 24XL 379 P 275/55 R- 20 156
153
255/40 R- 20 315/40 R- 25XL LT 245/75 R- 17E OWL 149 P 275/65 R- 18 153
285/35 R- 22 295/35 ZR- 21XL 428 145 716 P 275/60 R- 20 156
195 275/40 R- 20XL 141 315/40 R- 26XL 482 LT 265/70 R- 17E OWL 149 P 285/60 R- 18 145
305/40 R- 22 158 Latitude Tour HP Ecsta STX KL12 Grabber AT2 275/45 R- 20 XL
131 325/35 R- 28XL 1050 LT 275/65 R- 18E OWL 178 P 275/55 R- 20 155 All-Terrain T/A KO
P 305/45 R- 22 159 295/40 R- 22XL $382 325/35 R- 28XL $812 205/75 R- 15OWL $76 275/55 R- 20 XL
141 315/35 R- 30 1978 LT 275/70 R- 18E OWL 169 P 275/60 R- 20 154 LT 225/75 R- 16E $141
SPECIALS
Hours: EST M-F 8am-8pm SAT 9am-4pm 1-800-981-3782 Pricing Effective July 1-31, 2009
Prices Subject to Change www.tirerack.com ©2009 Tire Rack
Ask about our Tire Road
Hazard Service Program
ASX
Ultra High Performance All-Season
Developed for sports cars, coupes and sedans. The
Ecsta ASX (ASX for All-Season Xtreme) is designed to
blend responsive handling with dry, wet and year-round
traction, even in light snow.
195/55 R- 15 225/55ZR- 16 235/55ZR- 17 245/45ZR- 18
195/60 R- 15 225/60 R- 16 245/40ZR- 17 255/35ZR- 18
XS
195/65 R- 15 235/60 R- 16 245/45ZR- 17 255/45ZR- 18
205/50ZR- 15 245/50ZR- 16 255/40ZR- 17 265/35ZR- 18
205/55 R- 15 205/40ZR- 17XL 255/45ZR- 17 275/35ZR- 18
205/60 R- 15 205/50ZR- 17 255/50ZR- 17 275/40ZR- 18
205/65 R- 15 215/40ZR- 17 275/40ZR- 17 245/40ZR- 20
Extreme Performance Summer 225/60 R- 15 215/45ZR- 17 285/40ZR- 17 245/45ZR- 20
195/50ZR- 16 215/50ZR- 17 215/35ZR- 18XL 255/45ZR- 20
The Ecsta XS (eXtreme Street) was developed 205/40ZR- 16 215/55 R- 17 215/45ZR- 18XL 245/30ZR- 22XL
for passionate driving enthusiasts looking to 205/45ZR- 16XL 225/45ZR- 17 225/40 R- 18RF 255/30ZR- 22XL
make the most of their vehicle’s capabilities 205/50ZR- 16 225/50ZR- 17 225/45ZR- 18 285/25ZR- 22XL
in competition, at the track or on the street. 205/55ZR- 16 225/55ZR- 17 235/40ZR- 18XL 295/25ZR- 22
215/50ZR- 16 235/40ZR- 17 235/45ZR- 18 255/30ZR- 24XL
The Ecsta XS offers Kumho’s ultimate level of 215/55ZR- 16 235/45ZR- 17 235/50ZR- 18 275/30ZR- 24XL
dry road performance. 225/50ZR- 16 235/50ZR- 17 245/40ZR- 18 275/25ZR- 24
NOTE: Like all summer tires, the Ecsta XS is not intended to be driven in
near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
Hours: EST M-F 8am-8pm SAT 9am-4pm 1-800-981-3782 www.tirerack.com ©2009 Tire Rack
ROAD TEST
THE BULL
REDUX
THE TAURUS MOVES UPSCALE,
IF NOT COMPLETELY BACK
INTO OUR HEARTS.
BY TONY SWAN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AARON KILEY
AUG
90 2009
2010 FORD TAURUS LIMITED
THE HIGHS THE LOWS THE VERDICT
Subdued good looks, solid Rubbery steering, tepid Pleasant to behold,
chassis, roomy interior, responses, lamentable braking easy to respect,
quiet comfort at all speeds. distances, hefty curb weight. but hard to love.
AUG
2009 91
ROAD TEST 2010 FORD TAURUS LIMITED
COUNTERPOINT
MARK GILLIES
No matter how beautifully styled
and luxurious this new Taurus is, I
still can’t get my head past the fact
that it’s based on Volvo architecture
that’s seemingly as old as the ark.
The Taurus rides nicely on the
highway and is very refined, but
it’s a plodder on any winding road.
More significantly for the target
audience, which isn’t comprised
of mental-nutter-bastards like me,
there’s no headroom for anyone
over 5 feet 10 inches tall, and that’s
a travesty in such a big car.
TONY QUIROGA
A confession: I’m a fan of the
previous Five Hundred/Taurus.
Why? It was a big, solid sedan
that blended quiet refinement
with unobtrusiveness. Sounds
backhanded? Don’t underestimate
unobtrusiveness. Not being irritated
and actually being soothed by your
car is how Lexus built its brand.
For 2010, the Taurus truly enters
the 21st century (finally), with a
new design and its manners intact.
Gripes? Headroom is fine, but the
headrests will poke your occiput;
maybe that’s what Gillies thought
was the ceiling.
AUG
92 2009
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
Touch pad, now flush (at right), unlocks and
locks. In back, enough space for three adults.
CVJMUGPSGBNJMZDPNGPSUBOEOPUGPSGSPMJD JOWFOUPSZPGTUBOEBSETBGFUZGFBUVSFTUSBD
TFEBO
UIFDPNQBOZOFFEOPUBQPMPHJ[F UJPOBOETUBCJMJUZDPOUSPM
BOUJMPDLCSBLFT
*OWJFXPGJUTDIBSBDUFS
XFGPVOEUIF BJSCBHTHBMPSF
QBEEMFTIJGUFSTJOPVS5BVSVTUFTUDBSUP 4FWFSBM5BVSVTHPPEJFTNFSJUNFOUJPO
CF TPNFUIJOH PG BO BOPNBMZ 'VODUJPO IFSF 5IFSFμT B DBQMFTT GVFM GJMMFS TUBO
JTHPPETFMFDUFEHFBSTIPMEUPUIF EBSE
GJSTUJOUSPEVDFEPOUIFμ'PSE(5
SQNSFEMJOF OPUJOEJDBUFEPOUIFUBDI
/PNPSFMPTUHBTDBQTPSDBQTGMBQQJOHJO
BOEUIFTIJGUTBSFSFBTPOBCMZQSPNQU#VU UIFXJOE5IFOUIFSFμT4ZOD
UIFWPJDFBDUJ
UIJTGFBUVSFGFFMTPVUPGQMBDFJOBDBSUIBU WBUFEDPNNVOJDBUJPOTBOEFOUFSUBJONFOU
PUIFSXJTFLFFQTBOZTQPSUZQSFUFOTJPOT TZTUFN BMTPTUBOEBSE
XIJDIEFCVUFEXJUI
XFMMDPODFBMFE UIFDVSSFOU'PDVT"CSFBUIMFTT%FUSPJU'SFF
5IF MBUFTU 5BVSVT PDDVQJFT B EJGGFS 1SFTTXSJUFSUIPVHIU4ZODXBTBTTJHOJGJ
FOUQPTJUJPOJOUIF'PSEQSPEVDUQBOPQMZ DBOUJOUIFBEWBODFPGUIFBVUPNPCJMFBTUIF
UIBO UIF PSJHJOBM *UμT CJHHFS BOE NPSF 'PSE.PEFM5
XIJDIJTIZQFSCPMF
UIPVHI
MVYVSJPVT
FWFOJOCBTFUSJNUIF'VTJPO UIF TZTUFN JT FYDFMMFOU 8FμWF BMSFBEZ
JTUIFDPSQPSBUFNJETJ[FTUBOEBSECFBSFS NFOUJPOFEUIF#-*4PQUJPO'PSEIBTBMTP
UPEBZ"OEXJUIBQSJDFMBEEFSUIBUTUBSUT BEEFEBEBQUJWFDSVJTFDPOUSPM
BOPQUJPOBM
BU
PVS-JNJUFEUFTUDBSPQFOTBU VQHSBEFPOUIFCBTJDDSVJTFUIBUJODMVEFT
ZPVμEFYQFDUBGBJSBNPVOUPGQBN DPMMJTJPOXBSOJOHBOEQSFMPBETUIFCSBLF
QFSJOH
JOUIJTPSBOZDBS
BTXFMMBTBTPMJE TZTUFNGPSRVJDLFSSFTQPOTF8IFOUIFTZT
AUG
2009 93
ROAD TEST
ENGINE DIMENSIONS
V-6, aluminum block and heads Wheelbase: 112.9 in Length: 202.9 in
Bore x stroke: 3.64 x 3.41 in, Height: 60.7 in Width: 76.2 in
92.5 x 86.7mm Front track: 65.3 in Rear track: 65.5 in
Displacement: 213 cu in, 3496cc Drag area:
Compression ratio: 10.3:1 Cd (0.32) x frontal area (28.9 sq ft) = 9.2 sq ft
Fuel-delivery system: port injection Ground clearance: 6.1 in
Valve gear: chain-driven double WEIGHT
overhead cams, 4 valves per cylinder, Curb: 4097 lb Per horsepower: 15.6 lb
variable intake-valve timing DISTRIBUTION
Power (SAE net): 263 bhp @ 6250 rpm Front: 60.7% Rear: 39.3%
Torque (SAE net): 249 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm TEST RESULTS HANDLING
TOWING CAPACITY: 1000 lb
Redline: 6700 rpm GVWR: 5260 lb ROADHOLDING
ACCELERATION SECONDS
DRIVETRAIN INTERIOR Zero to 30 mph . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5
Transmission: 6-speed automatic with
manumatic shifting
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Front: 3-point belts; driver and passenger
40 mph . . . . . . . . . . . 3.7 0.82 g
GEAR: Ratios/mph per 1000 rpm front, side, and curtain airbags 50 mph . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1 300-ft-dia skidpad
1st: 4.48/5.7 4th: 1.41/18.0 Rear: 3-point belts, curtain airbags (STABILITY-CONTROL-INHIBITED)
COMPETITORS
Chrysler 300 Touring $27,665 Honda Accord V-6 $27,275 Toyota Avalon $28,595
The visage is now familiar, but Chrysler’s The Accord is new to this size class. But Smooth, quiet, powerful, roomy, and
big kahuna is still among the roomiest, even so, it hasn’t forgotten the nimble attractive within, the Avalon still suffers
still stands out in a crowd, and despite responses that make it a perennial from visual anonymity, but there’s no
substantial mass, is still quick on its feet. winner, and its V-6 is great.. shortage of acceleration—or quality.
AUG
CARANDDRIVER.COM 2009 95
Get 30+ years experience
in three days
Formula Fords and a make-shift road course road racing from our staff of race and
racing school and the starting point for many apply your newly acquired skills on the track.
a racing career: the Skip Barber Three Day Call or click for more information.
The Skip Barber Racing School: Get 30+ years experience in three days.
TIRE TEST OK
BFGOODRICH G-FORCE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA DUNLOP DIREZZA FALKEN AZENIS RT-615 HANKOOK VENTUS
T/A KDW RE760 SPORT SPORT Z1 STAR SPEC V12 EVO
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
KUMHO ECSTA XS LING LONG L688 MICHELIN PILOT NITTO INVO YOKOHAMA S.DRIVE
SPORT PS2
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
THE UNUSUAL
SUSPECTS
COULD ANY OF THESE NINE AFFORDABLE SUMMER TIRES HAVE
POSSIBLY KNOCKED OFF THE EXPENSIVE MICHELIN PS2?
BY DAVE VANDERWERP
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICH CHENET
AUG
CARANDDRIVER.COM 2009 97
TIRE TEST
8IFOJOEPVCU
JUTFFNT
BEEBEKFD BOENPTUFGGFDUJWFXBZTUPJODSFBTFBDBSμT FODF4UFBEZHSPXUITFFNTMJLFMZ
IPXFWFS
UJWFT +VTU BT UIF &1" UBDLFE PO QFSGPSNBODF8IFOTIPQQJOHGPSUIFN
XF DPOTJEFSJOHUIFDVUSBUFQSJDFT5IF-JOH
²VMUSB³BOEUIFO²TVQFS³JODSFBUJOHFWFS VTVBMMZDPOTJEFSUIPTFJOUIFUPQUISFF -POH-TDPTUKVTUFBDI
NPSFTUSJOHFOUTPVOEJOH DBUFHPSJFT GPS QFSGPSNBODF DBUFHPSJFT
TP UIBUμT XIBU 4PNFNBLFSTPGGFSNPSFUIBOPOFUJSF
JUTMPXFNJTTJPOTWFIJDMFSBUJOHT
UIFUJSF XFEJEGPSUIJTUFTU
XJUIPOFDBUDI±XF NPEFMCFMPXPVSQSJDFDBQ
BOEJOUIBU
CVTJOFTTJTDPOUJOVPVTMZJOWFOUJOHWBSJB TFUBQSJDFMJNJUPGFBDIJOB3 DBTF
XFDIPTFUIFPOFJOUIFIJHIFSQFS
UJPOT PG JUT IJHIQFSGPSNBODF TFHNFOU TJ[F/BUVSBMMZ
UIFHPBMXBTUPTFFXIJDIPG GPSNJOH DBUFHPSZ "OE UP TFF IPX UIJT
5IFSFBSFOPXGJWFDBUFHPSJFTPGTUSFFUUJSFT UIFOJOFUJSFNPEFMTHBUIFSFEIFSFJTCFTU QPQVMBS
MPXFSQSJDFEDPOUJOHFOUQFSGPSNT
EFTJHOBUFEFYDMVTJWFMZGPSTVNNFSESJW BUDIPNQJOHUIFQBWFNFOUBOEHFOFSBUJOH DPNQBSFEXJUINPSFFYQFOTJWFUJSFT
XF
JOH±HSBOEUPVSJOHBOEIJHI
VMUSBIJHI
RVJDLMBQUJNFT CSPVHIUBMPOHPOFPGPVSCMVFDIJQGBWPS
NBYJNVN
BOEFYUSFNFQFSGPSNBODF5IJT "UUIFUJNFPGUIJTUFTU
.JDIFMJO
(PPE JUFTUIF.JDIFMJO1JMPU4QPSU14
XIJDI
DBUFHPSZMJTUJTBSSBOHFEJOJODSFBTJOHESZ ZFBS
BOE5PZPEJEOμUIBWFBOZUJSFTUIBU TFMMTGPSBQJFDF
SPBEDBQBCJMJUZ
BOEUIPTFDBQBCJMJUJFTUFOE RVBMJGJFEGPSPVSDSJUFSJB
TPXFUVSOFEUP "TXJUIPVSNPTUSFDFOUUJSFUFTU<%FDFN
UPQSPEVDFUSBEFPGGTPOUJSFXFBS
OPJTF
UIFJSTVCTJEJBSJFT±#'(PPESJDI
%VOMPQ
CFS>
XFQBSUOFSFEXJUIUIF5JSF3BDL
XFUQFSGPSNBODF
PSBMMPGUIFBCPWF*U BOE/JUUP
SFTQFDUJWFMZ±BTXFMMBTMPX GPSJUTFYQFSUJTFBTXFMMBTPVSEFTJSFUP
NBLFTPVSOPHHJOTBDIFUSZJOHUPHSBTQ QSJDFTQFDJBMJTUTTVDIBT)BOLPPL
,VNIP
VTFBOPOQBSUJTBOGBDJMJUZ$MFBSMZTUBOE
IPXJUJTQPTTJCMFGPSBDBUFHPSZUPCFUUFS BOE'BMLFO5IJTBMTPNBSLTUIFEFCVUPG JOHPVUGSPNUIFDPNQFUJUJPO
UIFDPNQBOZ
²NBYJNVN
³BOEEPOμUTBZXFEJEOμUXBSO B$IJOFTFCSBOEJOB$%UJSFUFTU8IJMF PQFSBUFT BO JNQSFTTJWF GMFFU PG TFSJFT
ZPVJGUIFSFTPPOBQQFBSTB²DPMPTTBM³PS
NPSFUIBOQFSDFOUPGUJSFTTPMEJOUIF #.8TBOE1PSTDIF$BZFOOFTGPSJUTPXO
FWFOCFUUFS
BO²FYUSFNFTVQFSDPMPTTBM³ 64BSFOPXNBOVGBDUVSFEJO$IJOBCZ UJSFUFTUJOHBOEFEVDBUJPOPGJUTTBMFTGPSDF
QFSGPSNBODFDBUFHPSZ XFMMLOPXODPNQBOJFT
$IJOFTFCSBOET BOEHFOFSPVTMZBMMPXFEVTUPVTFBDPVQMF
4VNNFS UJSFT BSF POF PG UIF FBTJFTU UIFNTFMWFTBSFKVTUTUBSUJOHUPIBWFBQSFT PGUIFCBMBODFE
QSFEJDUBCMF
BOEQMFBTJOH
BEST IN TEST
WEAR RATING
TREAD DEPTH,
DESCRIPTION
DIRECTIONAL
UTQG TREAD-
WEIGHT, lb
SELLING
TYPICAL
SERVICE
1/32 in
TIRE BRANDS, BY PRICE
PRICE
AUG
98 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT PS2
BMW M3; Porsche 911,
Boxster, and Cayman;
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1; Cadillac
CTS-V. A list of some of our
JDPVQFTGPSPVSUFTU±UIFSFEPOFGPS FOUUJNFTUISPVHIPVUUIFEBZ
XFDPVMECF favorite cars? Yes. And they all
ESZESJWJOH
UIFTJMWFSGPSUIFXFU DPOGJEFOUJOUIFDPOTJTUFODZPGUIFEBUBBOE wear Michelin PS2s, which is
8FμWF BMXBZT CFFO JNQSFTTFE XJUI UIBUDIBOHFTJOUIFUSBDLTVSGBDFEVFUP probably one of the reasons many
UIF5JSF3BDLμTTUBGG
NBOZPGXIPNBSF UFNQFSBUVSFPSBOZOVNCFSPGPUIFSGBD C/D staffers consider the PS2
JOWPMWFEJOSBDJOHBOEBSFHFOVJOFDBSOVUT UPSTXFSFOμUBGGFDUJOHMBQUJNFT#VUJGUIF their favorite summer tire and a
$POTJEFSUIFWFIJDVMBSBSTFOBMQBSLFEJO UJNFTXFSFTIJGUJOH
XFDPVMEVTFUIBUEBUB good enough reason to use it as
GSPOUPGUIFDPNQBOZμT
TRVBSFGPPU UPBEKVTUUIFSFTVMUTBDDPSEJOHMZ our benchmark in this test.
XBSFIPVTFJO4PVUI#FOE
*OEJBOB
XIJMF 8FBMTPJODMVEFEBGPVSNJMFTUSFFUMPPQ After which, we were
XFXFSFUIFSFBO&#.8.
BO"VEJ UPNFBTVSFJOUFSJPSOPJTFBOEOPUFTVC understandably surprised that the
4
B$PSWFUUF;
B#.8"MQJOB#
BOE KFDUJWFCFIBWJPSTTVDIBTTPVOERVBMJUZ
pricey PS2s didn’t dominate the
BQBTTFMPGPUIFSDBSTXFμSFGPOEPG JNQBDUIBSTIOFTT
BOETUFFSJOHGFFM dry portion of the test, finishing
"GVSUIFSCFOFGJUPGUIJTBSSBOHFNFOUJT 5IFUXPESJWFSTXFSFUIFBVUIPSBOE
only midpack in both autocross
UIBUUIF5JSF3BDLTFMMTNPTUPGUIFCSBOET PODFBHBJO
4QFODFS(FTXFJO±FOHJOFFS time and braking. Geswein
JOUIFUFTUUIVTXFDPVMEVTFUJSFTGSPN BOEGPSNFSSBDFSBOE.JDIFMJOUJSFUFTUFS thought excessive understeer
UIFDPNQBOZμTJOWFOUPSZBOEDJSDVNWFOU )JTGJOFMZDBMJCSBUFECBDLTJEFBOEFYQFSU held back the lap times. Still, the
UIFQPTTJCJMJUZPGUJSFNBLFSTDIFBUJOHCZ ESJWJOHTLJMMTQSPWJEFEBOPUIFSPQJOJPO PS2s pulled an above-average
TFOEJOHVTBDVTUPNJ[FEWFSTJPOPGUIF POUIFTVCKFDUJWFOVBODFTBNPOHUIFUJSFT
0.92 g on the skidpad and
SFRVFTUFEUJSF BOEIFSBUFEFBDIDBOEJEBUFJOUISFFBSFBT exhibited a very sure-footed,
"GUFSFBDITFUPGUJSFTXBTCSPLFOJO HSJQ
QSFDJTJPO
BOEQSPHSFTTJWFOFTT predictable demeanor. Unlike
BDDPSEJOHUPUIF5JSF3BDLμTDSJUFSJB
UISFF 4VNNFSUJSFTBSFOPUEFTJHOFEUPCF most of the other tires, the PS2s
EJGGFSFOUNBOFVWFSTXFSFDPOEVDUFE
FBDI ESJWFO JO UFNQFSBUVSFT CFMPX BCPVU were responsive to steering
JOXFUBOEESZDPOEJUJPOTCSBLJOHGSPN EFHSFFTBOEDFSUBJOMZOPUJOTOPXPSJDF5P inputs at the limit and would tuck
NQIUPBTUBOETUJMM
MBQTBSPVOEBNJMF VT
UIFZBSFBCPVUNBYJNVNESZXFBUIFS back in nicely after their grip was
BVUPDSPTTDPVSTF
BOESVOTBSPVOEB QFSGPSNBODF
XJUIFOPVHIDBQBCJMJUZJO exceeded. Another positive is
GPPUEJBNFUFSTLJEQBE5IFMJTUFECSBLJOH UIF XFU UP HFU UISPVHI B TVEEFO EPXO pleasant ride quality, noted in the
SFTVMUTBSFBOBWFSBHFPGTJYTUPQT BGUFS QPVS4PXFTLFXFEUIFSFTVMUTUPGBWPS street-driving portion.
UXPTUPQTUPHFUUIFUJSFTXBSN
0OUIF UIFESZQBWFNFOUDIBNQT
HJWJOHEPVCMF In the wet, the benchmark
BVUPDSPTTDPVSTF
UXPESJWFSTUPPLUISFF UIFXFJHIUUPUIPTFUFTUT
FWFOUIPVHITVN PS2s showed their mettle, feeling
MBQTFBDI
BOEUIFCFTUUJNFGPSFBDIESJWFS NFSUJSFTHFOFSBMMZPVUQFSGPSNBMMTFBTPO the most connected to the road
XBTBEEFEUPHFUIFS0OFESJWFSQFSGPSNFE SVCCFSJOXFUDBQBCJMJUZBTXFMM and reeling in the quickest lap
UXPMBQTJOFBDIEJSFDUJPOPOUIFTLJEQBE
"GUFSUISFFEBZTPGUFTUJOH
XFXFSFMFGU time—beating the Ling Longs’ dry
BOEUIFCFTUSVOJOFBDIEJSFDUJPOXFSF XJUIBCVOEMFPGMBQUJNFTBOEFWFONPSF time—and generating a heady
BWFSBHFE
XIJDIJTPVSOPSNBMQSPDFEVSF OPUFT
DMPUIFTUIBUSFFLFEPGSVCCFS
BOE 0.88 g on the skidpad, which was
5PFMJNJOBUFBOZQPUFOUJBMCJBT
OFJUIFS MFGULOFFCSVJTFTGSPNCSBDJOHIBSEBHBJOTU as high as two of the competitors’
UFTUESJWFSLOFXXIJDIQBSUJDVMBSUJSFXBT UIFEPPSEVSJOHUIFIJHIHESJWJOH"OEXF best efforts in the dry. The PS2s’
CFJOHFWBMVBUFE XFSFTVSQSJTFECZIPXWBTUBOEOPUJDFBCMF wet performance was certainly
)BOLPPLPGGFSFEUISFFJEFOUJDBMTFUTPG UIFEJGGFSFODFTXFSFBNPOHUIFUJSFT
FWFO impressive, but we’d like more
²DPOUSPM³UJSFTUPCFJOUFSTQFSTFEBNPOH UPSFMBUJWFMZJOFYQFSJFODFEUJSFUFTUFSTTVDI dry capability from an expensive
UIFUFTUUJSFT*GJEFOUJDBMSFTVMUTDPVMECF BTPVSTFMWFT%FTQJUFXIBUTPNFPOMPPLFST summer tire. —DV
BDIJFWFEXJUIUIFDPOUSPMUJSFTBUEJGGFS UIPVHIU
XFTUJMMDBMMUIJTXPSL
AUG
CARANDDRIVER.COM 2009 99
TIRE TEST
OFHBUJWF(FTXFJOVTFEUIFXPSET²IBSE³
BOE²TLBUFZ³UPEFTDSJCFUIF-JOH-POHTμ
5IJOHTXFSFCFUUFSJOUIFXFU
XIFSF
(FTXFJOSBOLFEUIF*OWPTUPQTGPSQSFDJTF
GFFM5IFJSCFTUTIPXJOHXBTPOUIFTLJE SFTQPOTFT
UJFEXJUIUIF%VOMPQTBOEUIF
QBE
XIFSFBOHFGGPSUUJFEUIF:PLP CFODINBSL.JDIFMJOT5IFUJSFTμQSFEJDU
IBNBTμGPSMBTU BCJMJUZJOTQJSFEDPOGJEFODF
BMUIPVHIUIFJS
5IJOHTHPUXPSTFJOUIFXFU
XIFSFTMJQ MBQUJNFXBTTUJMMFYBDUMZJOUIFNJEEMF
BOETMJEFCFIBWJPSSFRVJSFEBDPOTFSWBUJWF 'BJSMZRVJFUPOUIFTUSFFUMPPQ
UIF*OWPT
FGGPSUUPTUBZCFUXFFOUIFDPOFT5IF-JOH XFSFCFMPXBWFSBHFJOUIFESZBOEBWFSBHF
-POHTXFSFBGVMMGJWFTFDPOETPGGUIFBVUP JOUIFXFU
XIJDIQVUUIFNJOFJHIUIQMBDF
DSPTTQBDFBOEOFFEFENPSFGFFU± /JUUPEPFTPGGFSBIJHIFSQFSGPSNBODFUJSF
TFSJFTDBSMFOHUIT±UPTUPQGSPNNQI UIF/5
XIJDIDPODFJWBCMZDPVMEIBWF
UIBOEJEUIFCFTU)BOLPPLT GBSFECFUUFSCVUJTOPUBWBJMBCMFJOUIFTJ[F
0OUIFTUSFFUMPPQ
XFXFSFJSSJUBUFE TQFDJGJFEGPSPVSUFTU
CZBMPXTQFFEESPOF
BOEUIFTFXFSFUIF
POMZUJSFTUPTRVFBMVOEFSTFNJBHHSFTTJWF 7 FALKEN AZENIS RT-615
DPSOFSJOH %FTQJUFTVGGFSJOHGSPNOPUJDFBCMFVOEFS
"TJEFGSPNUJSFT
UIFQBSFOUDPNQBOZ
TUFFS
UIF'BMLFO"[FOJTTUJMMBDIJFWFEBO
4IBOEPOH-JOH-POH
JO;IBPZVBO
$IJOB
BCPWFBWFSBHFESZBVUPDSPTTUJNF
UZJOH
BMTPTQFDJBMJ[FTJODFNFOU*TUIJTBTUSB UIF)BOLPPLTBOEKVTUCFUUFSJOHUIFCFODI
UFHJDBEWBOUBHF 8FμSFOPUTVSF
CVUUIF NBSL.JDIFMJOT#VUUIFJSESZCSBLJOHBOE
-JOH-POHTTIPXFEUIFMFBTUXFBSBGUFS TLJEQBEGJHVSFTXFSFOμUBTDPNQFMMJOH
UFTUJOH±XFOJDLOBNFEUIFNUIF²-JWF )BWJOHUIFMFBTUBNPVOUPGUSFBEEFQUI
-POHT³±TPUIFSFNBZCFBDPOOFDUJPO JOUIFUFTUMJLFMZEJEOμUIFMQUIF'BMLFOTμ
#VUFWFOUIPVHIUIFZDPTUIBMGUIFQSJDF XFUQFSGPSNBODF
BOEUIFSFTVMUTXFSFDPO
PGNBOZDPNQFUJOHUJSFT
UIFZTDPSFEMFTT TJEFSBCMZCFMPXBWFSBHF*UXBTEJGGJDVMUUP
UIBOIBMGUIFQPJOUTPGFWFOUIFFJHIUI NBLFVTFPGUIFUJSFTμQFBLZHSJQBOE
BT
QMBDFUJSF5PVT
UIBUEPFTOμURVBMJGZBTB JOUIFESZ
QSPNJOFOUVOEFSTUFFS8IJMF
WBMVF
FWFOBU GSBUFSOJ[JOHJOUIFQFSGPSNBODFEFQUIT
XJUIUIFHSFBTZ,VNIPTBOE-JOH-POHT
8 NITTO INVO UIF'BMLFOTXFSFGBSNPSFSFBTTVSJOHUP
*GXFSBUFEUJSFTPOUSFBEEFTJHO
UIF FYQMPJU
/JUUP*OWPTXPVMETDPSFIJHI5IFTMBTIFT "MUIPVHISFBTPOBCMZIVTIFEBDDPSEJOH
UIBUDSJTTDSPTTJOUSJHVJOHMZUISPVHIUIF UPUIFTPVOEMFWFMNFUFS
UIF"[FOJTTFFNFE
USFBEIBEVTFOWJTJPOJOHBWJDJPVT4UBS WFSZTUJGG
NBLJOHUIFNOPJTZPWFSFYQBO
8BSTMJHIUTBCFSTIPXEPXOUBLJOHQMBDF TJPOKPJOUTBOEQSPEVDJOHBVEJCMFUJSFIVN
AUG
100 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
YOKOHAMA S.DRIVE BFGOODRICH G-FORCE KDW BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE760
#VUUIJTBMTPBMMPXTGPSBQSFDJTF
DPOOFDUFE CFMPXBWFSBHFSJEF
GFFMJOUIFESZUIBUNBLFTUIFTFUJSFTTFFN "TJEFGSPNOBJMJOHUIFCSBLJOHUFTU
UIF
FYUSFNFMZTQPSUZ
XIJDIDPVMEQSPWJEFBO ,%8TXFSFBWFSBHFJOESZQFSGPSNBODF
FHPCPPTUCFOFGJUGPSTMPXESJWFSTXIPIBWF "OEEFTQJUFUZJOHUIFCFODINBSL14T
BOFMFWBUFETFOTFPGUIFJSBCJMJUJFT JOMBQUJNF
UIF,%8TGFMUTPGUFS
MJLFUIF
)BOLPPLT
CVUXJUITMJHIUMZNPSFQSFDJ
6 YOKOHAMA S.DRIVE TJPO(FTXFJOTBJEUIF#'(T²OFFENPSF
www.tirerack.com.
!
AUG
102 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
TIRE TEST
SUBTOTAL
SUBTOTAL
SOUND LEVEL
AUTOCROSS
AUTOCROSS
SUBJECTIVE
BRAKING
SKIDPAD
SKIDPAD
PRICE
VETTE
A brand-new standard-issue Chevrolet Corvette remains
an incredible performance-car bargain. For less than two-
thirds of the price of a Porsche 911, the latest C6 thunders to 60
mph in 4.0 seconds flat, corners at 0.99 g, and tops out at 190
mph. And for a two-seat rocket, a Vette is also very practical, with
57 percent more luggage capacity than a Honda Accord and tall
DREAMS
gearing that, during relaxed highway cruising, squeezes more
than 25 miles from each gallon of premium fuel.
Even so, the Corvette’s current base price of $49,515 might be
more than some people can or want to spend. If you fall into this
group, you’ll be happy to discover the many used Vettes on the
market, given that today’s C6 generation was born in the 2005
model year. When you peruse secondhand Corvettes, you’ll also
find that many of them have very low mileage, having been driven
V-8 POWER FOR THE PRICE OF A HOT mostly on summer weekends in cold states. Three- and four-year-
old cars with less than 10,000 miles are not unusual.
HATCH, WITH THE SECURITY OF GM’S To reduce the risks of used-car buying, GM offers a certi-
CERTIFIED USED-VEHICLE PROGRAM. fied used-vehicle (CUV) program. Similar to all such programs,
GM’s starts with a detailed, 117-item checklist to make sure
that everything is operating as it did when new. The car gets a
BY CSABA CSERE
thorough cleaning and detailing, brakes and tires that are more
than half-worn are replaced, and the next scheduled mainte-
nance is performed.
Most important for the buyer’s peace of mind is the addition
AUG
104 2009
of a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that INSURANCE FOR SIX MONTHS
goes on top of the original 36-month/36,000-mile bumper-to-
Buying used can save a fair amount on premiums, at least with Progressive insurance in
bumper warranty. The CUV is also covered by what remains of Michigan. It also helps to be older in our home state. In California, however, you basically pay
the original five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. So if, in through the nose no matter what. But the Progressive rates really penalize traffic citations in
August, you buy an ’05 Vette with 25,000 miles on the odo that the Golden State. The figures below were tabulated with one speeding ticket for a 28-year-old
man and two for a 57-year-old man. But for the 57-year-old driving a 2005 C6, the six-month
was first sold in March 2005, you still have 12 months/12,000 rate goes from $2865 with no tickets to $3498 with one, $4506 with two, and $4699 with
miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage and powertrain coverage three. So once you’ve collected two tickets, you might as well keep your foot down.
until March 2010, or to 100,000 miles. On an ’08 model, the ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA
roughly two years remaining on the new-car bumper-to-bumper SINGLE, 28 MARRIED, 57 SINGLE, 28 MARRIED, 57
coverage gets upped to three years. 2005 COUPE $1260 $914 $3946 $4506
A CUV Corvette is easy to locate on www.gmcertified.com, 2006 COUPE $2095 $1468 $4308 $4892
but the site’s search functions aren’t strong. For one, you can’t 2006 Z06 — — $4582 $5177
2007 COUPE $2195 $1530 $4408 $4999
filter by transmission type. Some of the descriptions don’t even
2007 Z06 — — $4691 $5298
identify the gearbox type or the car’s color. Most options go 2008 COUPE $1835 $1267 $4505 $5108
unmentioned. In more than 100 listings, we never saw a reference 2008 Z06 $2966 $2052 $4748 $5350
to the desirable Z51 package, and only through the photos and 2009 COUPE $1966 $1363 $4602 $5215
the 7.0-liter engine size could we determine whether a car was 2009 Z06 $2872 $1987 $4845 $5457
a Z06 model. But free online CarFax history reports are available
through GM’s site for each car. PRICES OF CERTIFIED USED C6s
The bottom line is that instead of spending well over $50,000 To provide some idea of CUV Corvette prices, we tabulated, by year and model, the prices of
for an optioned new Corvette—or $75,000 for a Z06—GM’s CUV every CUV C6 within 250 miles of our Ann Arbor headquarters. Convertibles generally bring
program has cars priced in the low 30s, with a warranty to protect about five grand more than coupes, though there is considerable variance. Notice also that
you if anything goes wrong. Suddenly that $30,000 hot hatch there’s a big jump in price with the 2008 models because the C6 that year got a midcycle
upgrade that included a larger, 6.2-liter engine; refined shifting and steering; and a very nice
doesn’t look so attractive. L optional leather interior package. Keep in mind that these are the asking prices. There is
definitely room for haggling here.
LOW AVERAGE HIGH
FOR MORE 2005 COUPE $29,998 $33,554 $36,995
2005 CONVERTIBLE $34,995 $38,616 $40,995
FIND ADVICE ON CERTIFIED
2006 COUPE $31,987 $36,669 $39,995
USED VEHICLES AND A
2006 CONVERTIBLE $36,395 $39,212 $44,995
FULL RUNDOWN OF ALL 36
2006 Z06 $46,995 $48,942 $50,888
AUTOMAKER PROGRAMS
2007 COUPE $33,895 $37,226 $40,995
CAR ANDDRIVER •C O M / C E R T I F I E D P R E O W N E D 2007 CONVERTIBLE
2007 Z06
$38,999
$52,390
$43,632
$54,432
$47,995
$56,995
2008 COUPE $33,969 $46,175 $53,990
2008 CONVERTIBLE $43,999 $45,692 $47,995
2008 Z06 $59,290 $61,345 $63,399
AUG
2009 105
GEAR BOX
AFFORDABLE NAVIGATION
Why spend big money on a factory navigation
system when you can get a portable device
screens than the built-in competition, but
just try moving that built-in from one car to
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DON KUREK
TOMTOM XL 330S
THE HIGHS
ALPINE PND-K3 Compact windshield mount,
MAGELLAN THE HIGHS can download fuel prices
ROADMATE 1430 Works as a Bluetooth and locations of red-light
GARMIN NÜVI 255W THE HIGHS speakerphone, plays audio cameras (with a connection
THE HIGHS Easiest and quickest route files via an SD card. to a computer).
Fast rerouting, shows speed programming, comes with THE LOWS THE LOWS
limits on map, fuel-efficient free traffic reports for Menus aren’t as good as Faint and muddy-sounding
“ecoRoute” feature. three months. the best, windshield mount speaker, programming takes
THE LOWS THE LOWS includes a huge longer than with other units,
Prompts for a street address Planning multiple stops is docking port. traffic info requires
before the street name, a different function than THE VERDICT a $100 antenna.
often long search time for finding a single destination. A solid pick if you like the THE VERDICT
points of interest. THE VERDICT extra features and don’t Good for tech-savvy users,
THE VERDICT Even your grandpa need traffic info. but there are better units
You’ll be happy, but maybe could figure out how to ($199.95; 800-257-4631; for simple navigation.
not as happy as the guy use this one. www.alpine-usa.com) ($179.95; 866-486-6866;
with the Magellan. ($229.99; 800-707-9971; www.tomtom.com)
($219.99; 800-800-1020; www.magellangps.com)
www.garmin.com)
I SPY
The Blackline GPS Snitch
AN ALTERNATIVE won’t give you directions,
If you have a GPS-enabled mobile but it will tell you where
phone (excluding the Apple iPhone), your car, or someone
TeleNav can turn it into a portable GPS else’s, is with up-to-the-
device for $9.99 a month. We tried it on minute accuracy. The Snitch
a BlackBerry Storm and liked the user- also has a motion detector, and
friendliness and the constantly updated you can be alerted via text message
traffic info. But maps can take a while to or e-mail if your car, or something in
load, and they don’t load at all without a it, moves. If cloak-and-dagger isn’t your
wireless signal. Most phone screens are thing, you can share your location with friends. The
tiny compared with those of portable nav rechargeable unit lasts up to a week on a full charge,
units, but the price is attractive. and the service is $14.99 a month or $169.99 a year.
(888-353-6284; www.telenav.com) ($299.99; 403-451-0327; www.blacklinegps.com)
AUG
106 2009
AGGRESSIVE GRIP. SMOOTH HANDLING. IMPECCABLE CONTROL.
Available in 15” to 20”
sizes for sport sedans
and coupes
ADVANCED MICRO-
FLEXIBLE COMPOUND
Conforms to surface irregularities
and maximizes contact between
the tire and road.
CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES
Efficiently evacuate
water for enhanced
wet traction.
Bump
15” PRICES
STARTS AT $99 SPECIAL NEW
– Sizes: 15, 16, 17 Reactor MG Octane Feather J10 FD-05
– Finish: Silver with Blue 15” PRICES
START AT $89 15” PRICES
START AT $95 15” PRICES
START AT $95 15” PRICES
START AT $99 15” PRICES
START AT $105 15” PRICES
START AT $119
undercut, Black with
Red undercut
FREE Catalog
Point your browser to
discounttiredirect.com NEW
DR-9 DR-19 DR-34 F5 FN01R-C Hot Version Vairano
to download your free
wheel catalog.
15” PRICES
START AT $95 15” PRICES
START AT $95 17” PRICES
START AT $110 17” PRICES
START AT $130 15” PRICES
START AT $165 17” PRICES
START AT $176
TRUCK / SUV WHEELS
NEW NEW
72 Gunner 6 Precise Buckshot Raptor OR9
15” PRICES
START AT $97 16” PRICES
START AT $115 20” PRICES
START AT $185 16” PRICES
START AT $109 17” PRICES
START AT $119 17” PRICES
START AT $155
America’s Largest Independent Tire Dealer
SHIPPING
Valid for UPS Ground service to the 48 contiguous states. Some restrictions apply.
Get up to a
– SAME DAY SHIPPING on most orders with the purchase
– FREE MOUNTING and BALANCING on all tire of a set of select
and wheel packages! Goodyear tires.
– The LOWEST delivered price on the Internet! * Certain restrictions apply.
Ask a sales associate for
details. Offer valid
7/12/09 – 8/8/09.
PRICES STARTS AT
Assurance
NEW
Fuel Max $84
Avid Touring S S.drive YK-520 Ecsta AST NeoGen NT-555 – Fuel saving tread
PRICES
START AT $57 PRICES
START AT $70 PRICES
START AT $78 PRICES
START AT $67 PRICES
START AT $73 PRICES
START AT $95 compound helps reduce
energy loss as the tire
rolls and saves gas over
the life of the tire.
– Wet and dry tread zones
enhance all season
traction.
Conti Pro Contact g-Force Sport Ventus HR II Ventus V12 EVO K110 HydroEdge Primacy MXV4
PRICES
START AT $76 PRICES
START AT $80 PRICES
START AT $56 PRICES
START AT $95 PRICES
START AT $95 PRICES
START AT $109 Free Replacement
TRUCK / SUV TIRES Get certificates with
your purchase and if any
of your tires fail due to
defect, or incurs damage
that cannot be repaired,
Discount Tire will replace
it absolutely FREE. Ask a
NEW sales associate for details.
Radial Rover Geolandar HTS Ziex S/TZ-04 DynaPro ATm RF10 LTX M/S Wrangler DuraTrac
PRICES
START AT $89 PRICES
START AT $90 PRICES
START AT $94 PRICES
START AT $109 PRICES
START AT $114 PRICES
START AT $117
PREVIEW
and exit are narrower doorsills and a seating
position that is 2.6 inches higher than the
2010 LOTUS EVORA Elise’s. But the footwell is still narrow enough
to require a miniature dead pedal.
Back seat or no, the Evora is still very
EXPANDING THE LOTUS LORE. much a Lotus in the driving-thrills depart-
ment. As with the company’s other mod-
BY DAVE VANDERWERP els, the steering is absolutely brilliant even
though the Evora has hydraulic power assist
The inquisitive owner of a first-gen- sized (i.e., tiny) back seat, which is optional as opposed to the unassisted racks in the
eration Elise we met near Inveraray, and seems adequate for little people and rest of the lineup. The steering-feel fanatics
Scotland, calls it cheating. He’s referring to children up to 10 years old. at Lotus went so far as to use a magne-
the fact that this all-new Lotus—the first in 14 In front, even this six-foot-five-inch driver— sium wheel in order to reduce its weight so
years—comes with a stereo, anti-lock brakes, Lotus’s claimed design target—had to slide that less feedback is lost. The weighting is
cruise control, and a stitched-leather interior, the seat forward a couple of inches from its perfect, and the constant tingling coming
not to mention available navigation and a most rearward position, and the amply pad- through the thin, flat-bottom wheel is superb
backup camera. Had we wished to really ded, leather Recaro seats were comfortable without ever feeling nervous or twitchy.
upset him, we could have brought up the throughout a 250-mile drive. Easing entry With a firm but not punishing ride, the
stability control and automatic transmission
that will soon be offered.
Indeed, this is a very different car than
the company’s intense, ultralight Elise and
Exige models that we admire greatly for
their delightful responses but whose lim-
ited appeal we fully understand. After all,
there are dog carriers that may be easier
to crawl into.
That’s why the Evora is so much larger—
21.9 inches longer, with a 10.9-inch stretch
in the wheelbase—putting it on par with more
mainstream sports cars such as Porsche’s
911 and Cayman. Roughly five inches shorter
than a 911, the Evora still houses a similarly
AUG
110 2009
DRIVE LINES
Evora is planted and secure yet runs to-side slop than we like.
through corners with the light and playful Other than a few low-rent interior items—
feel endemic to mid-engine cars—think Fer- the low-resolution Alpine navigation system
rari F430, only with slightly sharper steering. and the Ford parts-bin turn-signal and wiper
A reasonable, 3050-pound curb weight—a stalks—we think that Lotus, overall, has nailed
couple hundred pounds lighter than a 911— it. On sale now in Europe, the Evora won’t
certainly helps the ride-and-handling cause, come to the U.S. until early 2010, and pricing
and the Evora’s moves are so natural and is a critical decision Lotus has yet to make.
fluid, we got the sense that the car actu- Current exchange rates suggest $75,000,
ally enjoys being pushed. Braking is equally which is practically on top of the Porsche
spectacular, with an immediate bite and a 911 and more than $10,000 pricier than a
firm pedal. Lotus says the brakes will easily Cayman S. That may make it a tough sell for
hold up to racetrack use. some, even though the handsome, exotic
Almost as impressive as the driving experi- looks and supercar-like worldwide sales
ence are the hand-built Evora’s gorgeous volume of 2000 per year ensure exclusiv-
forged aluminum control arms and aluminum ity. We don’t need convincing: The dazzling
extrusions that make up the astoundingly stiff driver feedback easily won over our one-
structure. In the engine bay is a 276-hp Toyota track mind.
V-6 that’s been spared a lifetime of bore-
dom in your mom’s Camry. Vehicle engineer-
ing director Roger Becker says completely VEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive,
2- or 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe
reprogramming the engine allows the com-
pany to “suck out the conservatism and add ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $75,000
Lotus DNA.” It’s responsive and linear, with
ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum
a pleasant midrange induction growl—Lotus block and heads, port fuel injection
enhances it by piping the intake noise into Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 cu in, 3456cc
the cabin—and it makes a sophisticated but Power (SAE net) . . . . . . . 276 bhp @ 6400 rpm
Torque (SAE net) . . . . . . 258 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
subtle roar in the 5000-to-7000-rpm range.
It’s as loud as European regulations allow; TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual
U.S. cars will get slightly more volume.
DIMENSIONS:
A Nissan 370Z will keep up with the Evora Wheelbase: 101.4 in Length: 170.9 in
in the quarter-mile dash, but straight-line Width: 72.8 in Height: 48.1 in
poke is not what any Lotus is about. Plus, Curb weight: 3050 lb
a benefit of the, shall we say, responsible PERFORMANCE (MFR’S EST):
horsepower is impressive fuel economy Zero to 60 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9 sec
that, based on European ratings, we esti- Zero to 100 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile . . . . . . . 13.5 sec @ 103 mph
mate to be 19 mpg city and 28 mpg high- Top speed (drag limited). . . . . . . . . . . 162 mph
way. Optional, shorter ratios for gears three
through six reduce fuel economy by four PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving . . .18–19/27–28 mpg
percent, according to Lotus. Unfortunately,
the six-speed’s shift lever has more side-
SHORT TAKE
BMW X6 xDRIVE50i
THE HIGHS THE LOWS
Sports-sedan athleticism, supple ride, AMC-like styling, restricted rear view,
400-hp thrust, luxurious interior. answers a question nobody asked.
BY TONY QUIROGA
.../#&#' '% !#**,"* Turbo lag is absent, and the V-8 gives no EPA city/highway driving . . . . . . . . .12/18 mpg
C/D observed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 mpg
audible hint that it’s being force-fed air.
**,"*-#$$"
()"*"&+ CARANDDRIVER.COM
DRIVE LINES
PREVIEW
Sales charts spawned this baby. Top up, the cabin is quiet; top down,
About a third of BMW 3-series sales the body is fairly stiff for an easygoing %*$
are coupes and convertibles, and Lexus ramble on good pavement, but even then, $)')%-
wants a seat at that buffet. Impulsive?
Hardly. Introduced nine years ago and well
we could still feel some steering-column
shudder. Softer springs, shocks, and bush-
$)!$%$
into its second generation, the entry-level ings sponge up more bumps than in the
IS sedan finally gives birth to a convertible sedan, though this weighty ship rolls and
two-door kitten. porpoises a bit more.
In dealerships now, the IS250C and The base IS250C starts at $39,365 with
IS350C feature an aluminum hardtop roof various amenities standard, including leather,
that, in 20 seconds, marshals 15 electric making it about $6000 less than the base
motors and 37 sensors to split it into two BMW 328i convertible. The IS350C begins
panels, which seamlessly belly-flop into the at $44,815. Judging from the tranquilized
waiting trunk. Ultraviolet bliss ensues. dynamics, the IS C wants to chase BMWs
Weary eyes could reasonably mistake without becoming a BMW. That will likely not
the IS C for a sedan that lost a debate with trouble any Lexus loyalists craving a tan.
a hacksaw, yet every exterior panel and
molding except the hood is unique to the VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-
convertible. The IS C is 2.2 inches longer drive, 4-passenger, 2-door convertible
than the four-door, and the rear decklid
hunchbacks upward, so there’s room for
four adults, plus space for flat luggage
BASE PRICE: $39,365–$44,815
'%*"-&'($)-
)&; 9.23".3; "2); *5&"6"8:; 6&&023"+&2; *2
/0&.;3/;,&(",;1&2*%&.32;/';3)&;;.*3&%;3"3&2
*.$,4%*.(;!"2)*.(3/.;;".%;"."%";&7$&03
3)&;01/5*.$&;/';4&#&$;"(&;;/1;/,%&1;"3;3*-&
/';&.318;".%;6)/;)"5&;";5",*%;&-"*,;"%%1&22;/
5*&6;$/-0,&3&;''*$*",;4,&2;*.$,4%*.(;",,;&.318
%&"%,*.&2; (/5&1.*.(; 3)*2; 26&&023"+&2; 5*2*3
666)'-42$/--826&&023"+&2; 3"132;
;"23&1.;*-&;9;/.;;.%2;
;9:;/.;
; /*%;*.;3)&;01/5*.$&;/'
4&#&$;".%;6)&1&;01/)*#*3&%;#8;,"6;0/.2/1
"$)&33&;*,*0"$$)*;&%*";;;*-*3;.&;&.318
CARANDDRIVER.COM 0&1; 0&12/.; /1; &-"*,; "%%1&22; 0&1; $",&.%"1
-/.3),8;&.318;0&1*/%;
DRIVE LINES
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 102.4 in Length: 177.6 in
Width: 75.7 in Height: 47.9 in
Curb weight: 3300 lb
AUG
114 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
PREVIEW
model of our experience.
The Artega’s chassis is made largely from
ARTEGA GT aluminum, with carbon-fiber-reinforced plas-
tic body panels. The suspension is a classic
unequal-length control-arm layout with coil-
PORSCHE LOVER BUILDS PORSCHE BEATER. over shocks front and rear.
The 3.6-liter engine is the latest direct-
BY RAY HUTTON injection V-6 found in the Volkswagen Passat
CC. It produces 295 horsepower, which, in
Every year, new wannabe Porsches, Designed by Henrik Fisker—whose port- a car that weighs just 2600 pounds, should
Ferraris, and Lamborghinis turn up folio includes the aluminum-bodied BMW provide better-than-Porsche performance:
at the world’s motor shows, though most Z8, the Aston Martin V-8 Vantage, and the 60 mph arrives in less than five seconds,
are incomplete and underfunded and never upcoming Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid [see and there’s a claimed top speed of at least
progress beyond the prototype stage. page 58]—the Artega GT is shapely and 170 mph.
The Artega is the exception. The GT was well finished. And the company lured Karl- At higher revs, the exhaust sound is ter-
developed in secret by a respected auto- Heinz Kalbfell, the ex–sales supremo at rific—it’s more like an Italian V-8 than a mod-
industry supplier. It took two years before it BMW who has since headed Rolls-Royce, est German V-6. A less pleasant booming
was ready, and there was no advance hype. Alfa Romeo, and Maserati, to handle sales inside the cabin at about 2500 rpm is one
The car emerged fully formed in 2007 at the and marketing. of the few things that needs fixing.
Geneva show, ready for production. Paragon’s small engineering team had This is one of the first cars outside the
And in October 2008, production began never done a complete car before, but Volkswagen Group to use VW’s excellent
at a purpose-built plant in Delbrück, Ger- thanks to the close cooperation of some DSG gearbox, which operates either auto-
many. Clearly, there is a depth of planning blue-chip suppliers—Bosch, Brembo, Bil- matically or manually via paddles behind
and commitment here. The company behind stein, Michelin—it succeeded in producing the steering wheel. The Artega has its own
the Artega is Paragon AG, an electronics a car that drives better than any first-time software to dictate the shift program.
supplier best known for the stopwatch/lap
timers fitted to Porsches.
Paragon’s CEO is Klaus Dieter Frers, a
prominent historic-car racer with an enviable
collection of Porsches. So perhaps it is not
surprising that Porsche was the inspiration
for his very own sports car. The Artega is a
lightweight, two-seat, mid-engined coupe
with a transverse-mounted VW/Audi V-6
and DSG six-speed, double-clutch, auto-
mated manual transmission. It is short
(157.9 inches), wide (74.0 inches), and low
(46.5 inches). The closest equivalent is the
Porsche Cayman S, although the Artega is
more than a foot shorter.
AUG
116 2009
DRIVE LINES
CARANDDRIVER.COM
DRIVE LINES
SHORT TAKE
2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E550 COUPE
for really headlong apex clipping, even in
sport mode. We reserve judgment regard-
ing braking performance; our test car, fresh
THE HIGHS THE LOWS from abuse at a press preview, had problems
Sublime hardtop styling, ample power, Steering could be more decisive, that stretched stopping distances far beyond
expectations—Mercedes’ and ours. And the
handsome interior, room for four. ditto dynamic responses.
responses of the paddle-shifting feature are
BY TONY SWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY J. G. RUSSELL relaxed by serious sports-coupe standards.
This is no BMW M3. If real haste is an objec-
tive, a new E63 AMG version is just around
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Aside from the achievement of a pillar- the corner. But alas, Mercedes says the AMG
We can be pretty sure John Keats less design in an age of ever tougher roll- massage will be limited to the sedan.
wasn’t thinking about automotive sheetmetal over standards, Mercedes has done a fine On the other hand, we’d be surprised if
when he penned those words in 1818. But packaging job: The reduced dimensions anyone acquired this car with track days in
if Keats had been scribbling just 191 years have deleted nearly a third of the rear-seat mind. Like us, people are more likely to be
later, his inspiration could very well have space but haven’t made the E coupe a mere seduced by its blend of power, comfort, and
been this elegant and sexy coupe. two-plus-two. Rear headroom will be on the beauty that will never grow old. L
Okay, trying to set one current Mercedes wish lists of individuals over six feet tall, but
automobile above the others in terms of there’s plenty of knee, leg, and toe room for
beauty is tough; they all look terrific. Still, two modestly sized adults. The seats are VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-
drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
this coupe version of the latest Mercedes supportive, and climbing in or out is eased
E-class, its sweeping roofline uninterrupted by the power front seats, which flip and glide PRICE AS TESTED: $66,375 (base price:
by a B pillar, is on a look-at-me par with the forward. $55,525)
big Mercedes CL coupes, minus their mass Reduced dimensions should equate with ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum
and massive price tags. reduced weight, and that seems to be true block and heads, port fuel injection
Do not interpret this to mean bargain. The here. Our loaded test car weighed 3942 Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 333 cu in, 5461cc
Power (SAE net) . . . . . . . 382 bhp @ 6000 rpm
basic E350 coupe, with a 268-hp, 3.5-liter pounds, far from light, but still a couple hun- Torque (SAE net) . . . . . . 391 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
V-6, is $48,925. That soars to $55,525 for the dred pounds better than what we anticipate
E550, with its 382-hp, 5.5-liter V-8. Check for the sedan. TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with
manumatic shifting
all the option groups, and you wind up with In any case, the coupe’s 5.5-liter V-8—
a package like our test car: a cool $66,375. one of the best naturally aspirated eights in DIMENSIONS:
On the other hand, the most recent previous the business—and seven-speed automatic Wheelbase: 108.7 in Length: 185.0 in
Width: 70.3 in Height: 54.0 in
E-class coupe—the 1994 E320—started at transmission handle all those pounds very Curb weight: 3942 lb
$62,075. Wow. well indeed: zero to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds,
The new coupe shares architectural ele- the quarter-mile in 13.3 at 108 mph. It emits
ments with the E-class sedan, as well as a refined V-8 rumble when it’s pinning occu- C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.8 sec
its techno-goodies and a bevy of safety pants into their seatbacks and is an eager Zero to 100 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11.5 sec
features, many of them standard. But there ally when it’s time to pick off back-road Zero to 130 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.3 sec
are also pieces from the C-class stable, con- dawdlers. Street start, 5–60 mph . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile . . . . . . . 13.3 sec @ 108 mph
tributing to much tidier dimensions. For the We wish the coupe’s other dynamic ele- Top speed (governor limited) . . . . . . . 131 mph
coupe, the E sedan’s 113.1-inch wheelbase ments were as compelling. The steering, Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad . . . . . 0.85 g
has been trimmed to 108.7. That two-door though quick at 2.7 turns lock to lock, is
FUEL ECONOMY (MFR’S EST):
is 6.7 inches shorter and 2.7 inches narrower thin on feedback. The suspension—featuring EPA city/highway driving . . . . . . . . 16/23 mpg
than the four-door, and its 54.0-inch roof is Mercedes’ electronically controlled adap- C/D observed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 mpg
3.2 inches lower. tive shock absorbers—is a little too compliant
AUG
118 2009
WHAT I’D DO DIFFERENTLY
Car and Driver (ISSN 0008-6002) (USPS 504-790), August 2009, volume 55, issue 2, is published monthly by Publications Mail Agreement Number
Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc., 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019. Periodicals postage paid at 40052054; Canadian Registration Number
New York, New York 10001, and at additional mailing offices. Authorized periodicals postage by the Post Office 126018209RT0001; Return undeliverable
Department, Ottawa, Canada, and for payment in cash. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Car and Driver, P.O. Canadian addresses to: P.O. Box 503,
Box 52906, Boulder, Colorado 80322-2906; 386-597-4375; fax 303-604-7644; customerservice-caranddriver.com. RPO West Beaver Creek, Richmond Hill,
If the postal services alert us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive Ontario L4B 4R6 Canada.
a corrected address within one year. E-mail: caranddriver@neodata.com.
AUG
128 2009 CARANDDRIVER.COM
ROAD GRIPPING POWER.
T IR E
the INSiGHT. a new hybrid from Honda. Honda and hybrid. AKA, reliability and efficiency, two
things everyone can use. Other useful things: an innovative battery, split fold-down rear seats and
43 hwy mpg.* The hybrid designed and priced for us all. The new Insight. from Honda. for everyone.
insight.honda.com 1- 800 -33-Honda EX model shown. *Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy methods, beginning with 2008
models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Actual mileage will vary. The Eco Assist symbol is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.,
and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval. © 2009 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.