The CarGurus Blog

Daily coverage of the world of cars.

Robert F

Imprezas Impress: 2008 Subarus Times Two


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In many ways, the Japanese automakers always seem to be just one step ahead of their American, and sometimes their European, counterparts. While the Big Three in Detroit struggle to reintroduce and reposition their lines for a changing world, the Japanese are unveiling cars that seem to be a perfect fit for the current, ever-changing automotive climate.

For proof, just take a look at the 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5i and its high-performance sibling, the 2008 Impreza WRX, both of which were unveiled recently at the New York Auto Show. A few years ago, at the height of the SUV craze, these cars would have been lost in the crowd. But in this day and age of high gas prices and a renewed emphasis on efficient motoring, the Impreza twins take the lead in a new class of high-tech, high-performance compact sport cars.

Both Impreza models are available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback versions, and both feature a new, more rigid chassis and a longer wheelbase than the previous year’s models, yet both are lighter in weight than earlier versions. In addition, the engines are placed lower in the chassis, lowering the center of gravity. When you do the math, it all adds up to better handling and a sportier ride.

Adding to the cars’ performance are two new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines that have been modified to improve emissions and fuel efficiency, while delivering improved torque at lower speeds for true high-performance driving. A standard four-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower is dropped under the hood of the Impreza 2.5i, while the WRX gets a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing 224 horsepower.

Both models are equipped with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, as well as all-new double-wishbone suspension. New exterior styling details such as new grilles, rooflines, and rear spoilers are also part of the packages, as are new sculpted door panels, more comfortable seats, and an available nagivation screen that can double as a display for hand-held video games, which can plug right into the system. So while the passenger plays video games, the driver can be play his or her own game behind the wheel of the Impreza over the hottest stretches of road in the country. The two new Imprezas will be available globally starting this summer, so sharpen your driving — and your game-playing — skills.

An Efficient V8 Sport Coupe? The 2008 BMW M3 Delivers

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No doubt it’s a sign of the times that even when unveiling a next-generation motorsport-based sport coupe with a new 420-horsepower V8 engine, the automaker still makes an effort to sneak a few energy-efficient components into the car’s makeup. So what’s the motivation behind this curious mix? Smart manufacturing techniques, or political brownie points? You be the judge.

The vehicle in question is the new BMW M3, which for the first time in its history is equipped with said V8 engine, a little 4.0-liter light-alloy powerhouse that borrows design elements from BMW’s Formula 1 race team engines, and is, in fact, about 30 pounds lighter than the V6 engine it replaces. In fact, a lot about the new M3 is high-tech and efficient. Take the brakes. They’re regenerative, meaning they actually generate electric power when the driver applies a foot to the brake pedal and engages the braking mechanism. The energy generated by the brakes is used to power the car’s on-board computer and charges the battery, conserving fuel, according to BMW.

BMW also notes that the 2008 M3 is the first production car in its segment with a roof made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (again, borrowed from the motorsport side), resulting in a lighter, more efficient and more agile vehicle with a lower center of gravity.

As far as that V8 engine is concerned, it’s powerful enough to drive the M3 from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour (about 60 miles per hour) in just under 5 seconds, yet is efficient enough to get almost 23 miles to a gallon of gas. So in many ways, it’s the best of both worlds for power-loving drivers who also like to feel they’re doing their small part to conserve energy resources.

Technology aside, where the new M3 really excels is in its styling, with a “powerdome” hood, a new front end with large air intakes, a sweptback roofline, air intake gills in the front side panels, a discreet spoiler at the rear, dual tailpipes, flared wheel arches, and “tuning fork” high-performance 19-inch wheels.

Equipment and specifications for the U.S. models have not yet been finalized, and more information will be released as we get closer to the car’s U.S. introduction.

2008 Jeep Liberty: Freedom of the Road


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Jeep unveiled its 2008 Liberty mid-size SUV on April 4 at the New York Auto Show, and although the Liberty is all-new from the ground up (the first redesign of the vehicle since its introduction in 2002), there’s a lot about it that has a familiar look. In fact, Jeep pulled design cues from its iconic past to give the Liberty a somewhat retro though still contemporary look.

It all starts with that grille, which evokes the Jeeps of the World War II and Korean War eras, with its seven slots framed by round headlights. There’s almost a militaristic look to it. The flared trapezoidal wheel openings, however, are distinctively modern, giving the Liberty a rugged appearance. One of the new Liberty’s coolest features, though, is something you can’t quite see unless you’re looking down on it from above. It’s an optional canvas canopy roof, which Jeep calls the Sky Slider. The roof retracts to a huge 30-by-60-inch opening, which Jeep says is the largest opening in its class and an industry first. The idea is to give occupants an open-top driving experience similar to what you might have enjoyed tooling around decades ago in an open-air Jeep, while still maintaining the safety features of a rigid cabin.

Another nice feature: The new Liberty is available with a choice of four-wheel-drive systems, including Jeep’s Command Trac part-time four-wheel drive system, which has been around for awhile, or the next-generation Select Trac II on-demand four-wheel-drive system. The Liberty is also available with two-wheel drive.

The Liberty comes in both Sport and Limited packages. The standard engine is a 220-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. Other options include a high-tech towing package with Trailer Sway Control.

Inside features include power windows, door locks, and mirrors, as well as a fold-flat rear seat, remote keyless entry, and an MP3 audio jack in the stereo system. A wide range of interior options is also available, including automatic temperature control, memory seats, remote start, and a 6-disc CD/DVD audio system. The 2008 Jeep Liberty is expected to be in showrooms this summer.

The 2008 Volvo V70: Your Own Personal Bodyguard


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Volvos have long been known for their safety features, and with each new model, those safety features become more sophisticated. Case in point: The all-new 2008 Volvo V70 station wagon, which is scheduled to be introduced this week at the Geneva Auto Show. The third generation V70 features a number of new safety systems designed to protect not only passengers on the inside of the vehicle but pedestrians outside as well.

One of the more intriguing additions, which Volvo describes as a world breakthrough, are built-in child booster cushions in the rear seats. The cushions can be adjusted for children of different heights, and not only provide children with views out the windows but also are designed to work with the seat belts to provide maximum safety restraint in all situations.

For taller passengers (i.e. adults) Volvo has equipped the V70 with the latest version of its head restraints with the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which protect the head in the event of a side impact. The car also is equipped with an improved Side Impact Protection System, borrowed from the new S80 Sedan, which includes new side impact airbags and stronger side structures.

Another cool safety feature, also borrowed from the S80, is the Personal Car Communicator, a remote keyless entry device that includes a heartbeat sensor, which can not only detect if someone (such as an intruder) is in the car as you approach it, but also reportedly can monitor your own heart as you’re driving and alert you if it senses you’re becoming sleepy.

The other big news is that the V70 will for the first time be available with a six-cylinder engine (as opposed to the five cylinders available in previous versions). In this case, it’s an efficient 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder that produces 235 horsepower. A 285-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo and a 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter five-cylinder also will be available.

Design-wise, the V70 features a more sculpted appearance with dynamic lines (according to Volvo), as well as a black egg-crate grille and a new soft nose that reduces leg injuries in the event you should run into a pedestrian or cyclist.

The 2008 V70 should be in showrooms early next year. If you can’t wait that long, you can learn more about the current-model V70 here: http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Overview-d518-Volvo-V70.html

Audi Gets Emotional With New A5 and S5 Coupes

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Audi is jumping feet first into what it calls a “highly emotionally charged segment” of the automotive market by introducing two new vehicles for 2008. Those vehicles are the Audi A5 and the S5, and the emotionally charged segment to which Audi refers is the specialized realm of the Luxury Coupe, which is becoming more competitive and is certainly a highly prestigious segment for automakers. And a quick glance at Audi’s two new luxury coupes will tell you that “emotional” is exactly what the German automaker was aiming for in designing these vehicles.

Just check out that deep grille (a definite design trend for 2008 vehicles), those sweptback headlights, the stunning wheels, the wide stance, sporty overhangs, and flowing lines of the A5 and S5, and you’ll see what we mean. Who wouldn’t want to drive this car from one end of the country to the other and back? A car like this would certainly be an emotional buy, with the primary emotion being happiness.

The A5 and S5 luxury coupes are scheduled for their official unveiling in early March at the Geneva Auto Show, so details on the two cars are still limited, but this much we know. The A5 will be the grand touring model (read super-luxurious), while the S5 will be a sportier version of the same car.

Both models are designed to comfortably seat four passengers, and will be powered by FSI (direct injection) engines — a 3.2-liter V6 for the A5 and a 4.2-liter V8 for the S5, with horsepower for the A5 at around 260 and around 350 for the S5. Audi will push the vehicles’ front axle forward just a bit, with the engines riding behind it to improve balance and handling. Transmissions will be a six-speed manual or a continuously variable multitronic automatic gearbox, also called a continuously variable transmission or CVT.

Audi also notes that the A5 and S5 will feature a completely redesigned suspension with a new rack-and-pinion steering system, as well as Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, 17-inch alloy wheels, an automatically opening trunk, a keyless entry system, an electromechanical parking brake, and a comfort key. A three-zone air conditioning system, a panoramic tilting roof, navigation and audio systems, and Audi’s parking system with a rearview camera are also part of the package.

All in all, it sounds like an impressive package. So get your emotions ready — the Audi luxury coupes will be rolling into U.S. showrooms later this year.