Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Ford Re-Enters Minivan Market - Sort Of

!±8± Ford Re-Enters Minivan Market - Sort Of

The Ford Motor Company found itself pushed out of the minivan market in the mid-2000s, as customers turned away from its offering and snapped up other models including the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Ford isn't the only automaker finding the segment too hard to compete as GM also made an exit. Nissan and Kia still offer their minivans, but their presence is quite small.

Small Minivan

Beginning in 2012, Ford will swing back into a segment it abandoned some seven years earlier. An all-new model, the Ford C-Max will debut, a minivan of sorts, but not really. The C-Max is really a multi-purpose vehicle for five adult passengers and two children, based on the same platform underpinning the compact Ford Focus.

That means the C-Max will be smaller than the Dodge, Honda, Chrysler and Toyota minivans, with a smaller interior and lighter weight. But, it also means that Ford will find a way to make this vehicle work, planning to offer hybrid and plug-in variations to go with the standard gas model. In Europe, the C-Max will include diesel options, something Ford is not planning to make available in the United States. At least not initially.

Base Model

A base four cylinder 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is likely to power the Ford C-Max, a 2013 model when it rolls out. Featuring rear sliding doors, the C-Max attempts to make good use of a limited amount of space, thus the extra third row seating fit for small passengers only. Put your kids in the very back and let the adults, ride up front and center!

The proposed hybrid and plug-in models will, however, possess a slightly different body style. That body won't have the sliding doors or the third-row, with seating for five passengers. The Ford C-Max Energi will work much in the same way as the Chevrolet Volt, with the ability to run on pure electric power for about 40 miles before the gas engine kicks in. Combined range is expected to be 500 miles when both electric and gas powered are used, a range that can be extended through a quick fill up at the gas station.

Updated Hybrid

The Ford C-Max Hybrid represents the next generation Ford hybrid vehicle. Currently, Ford sells the hybrid sedans and crossover SUVs, but the C-Max will be the first of the next generation model. Unlike the current Ford Fusion Hybrid which can run on electric-only power up to 47 mph, Ford says the new hybrid will top that number before the gas engine kicks in. That means the Ford C-Max Hybrid will enjoy improved fuel economy, easily making it the most fuel efficient minivan on the market.

The C-Max is one of several models Ford has planned to run on its C-segment platform. The 2012 Ford Focus is the main model with a crossover expected to join the C-Max in 2013.


Ford Re-Enters Minivan Market - Sort Of

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

2011 Honda Pilot Review

!±8± 2011 Honda Pilot Review

Honda pilot's uni-body assembly and independent suspension is designed to provide handling similar to that of a car. This vehicle faces a tough competition from solid pickup trucks like Chevrolet Traverse, Buick enclave, Hyundai Veracruz, GMC Acadia twin, Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander. National based price of 2010 Pilot is around $ 28,045 which excludes destination charges.

Trim Levels and Options:

pilot is a mid sized crossover Sports Utility Vehicle which is offered with four trim levels. 2010 Honda pilot's model include Honda pilot LX, Honda pilot EX, Honda pilot EX-L and Honda pilot touring. Each of these models is available with either all wheel drive or front wheel drive.

pilot LX trim is included with 17 inch steel wheel, rear privacy glass, keyless entry, automatic head light, trailer hitch, cruise control, steering wheel, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, front and rear Air conditioner, audio system with seven speakers, AUX-IN pin and CD and MP3 player and split foldable third row seat.

Honda pilot EX trim is added with 17 inch alloy wheel, painted body molding, flood lights, roof rails, eight way power driver seat,tri zone automatic climate control, audio system with six CD chargers, satellite radio, roof rails and heated exterior mirrors.

pilot EX-L trim is added with upgraded leather upholstery, heated front seat, rear seat DVD entertainment package with Bluetooth and I-Pod connectivity, audio system with 10 speakers.

Both EX trim's accessories are included in Touring model and further included with power tail gate, driver memory function, rear window sunshade and tire pressure indicator.

Engine and Performance:

2010 pilot is armored with 3.5L capacity V6 engine with front wheel drive as standard option and optional all wheel drive with automatic apportions power to the rear wheel up to 70 percent. The power train will be mated with five speed automatic gear transmission. This power source is also incorporated with driver selectable lock feature that routs max torque to rear wheel at speed below 19 MPH. with this power train pilot can accelerate from zero to 60 MPH in just 9.7 seconds and also offers comparative mileage.

Specification:

* Base Number of Cylinders: 6

* Base Engine Size: 3.5 liters

* Base Engine Type: V6

* Horsepower: 250 HP

* Max Horsepower: 5700 RPM

* Torque: 253 ft-pounds

* Max Torque: 4800 RPM

* Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 Pounds

* Drive Type: FWD

* Turning Circle: 38.6 feet

Mileage with Rear Wheel Drive:

* City: 17 MPG

* Highway: 23 MPG

* Combined: 19 MPG

Mileage with All Wheel Drive Option:

* City: 16 MPG

* Highway: 22 MPG

* Combined: 18 MPG

Design and Special Features:

2010 Pilot is offered with utilitarian exterior styling. Interior is offered with blocky and rugged them. Like many current Honda vehicles, this sedan's central stack is packed with too many small and control buttons. Accessing of these buttons are made simple by uniquely designed logical layout. Pilot is also offered with roomy third row seats. Pilot is one of the few sedans that can accommodate adults and offer relative comfort to all its occupants. Cushions of second row and third row seats are very low and forces long legged passengers into a knee up and squatting position. Compared to Chevy Traverse and Ford Flex this sedan offers little compact seating.

Dimensions:

* Front Head Room: 40 inches

* Front Hip Room: 58.6 inches

* Front Shoulder Room: 61.5 inches

* Rear Head Room: 39.8 inches

* Rear Shoulder Room: 62.2 inches

* Rear Hip Room: 56.9 inches

* Front Leg Room: 41.4 inches

* Rear Leg Room: 38.5 inches

* Luggage Capacity: 18 cubic feet

* Maximum Cargo Capacity: 87 cubic feet

* Maximum Seating: 8

* Length: 190.9 inches

* Width: 78.5 inches

* Height: 71 inches

* Wheel Base: 109.2 inches

* Ground Clearance: 8 inches

* Curb Weight: 4319 pounds

Safety:

2010 Honda Pilot is well equipped with advanced safety features which offer optimum safety to its occupants. This model is offered with stability control, full length side curtain airbag, front seat side airbag, standard anti lock disc brakes and full length side curtain airbags. In government crash test this sedan performed flawlessly and has gained five stars for its occupant's safety during side and frontal impact. This sedan has also gained GOOD rating from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for side impact and frontal offset crashes.

2010 Honda Pilot

Pros:

Descent roomy third row seats

Smooth V6 engine

Excellent crash test rating

Clever interior storage

Cons:

Sluggish interior

Unremarkable fuel economy

Heavy central stack

Poor braking performance


2011 Honda Pilot Review

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