The CarGurus Blog

Daily coverage of the world of cars.

Foreign Cars

Porsche Ups the Power for 2008 Cayenne


by

Perhaps it comes as no surprise — not really big news at all — that the Porsche Cayenne, the sporty SUV from the maker of the venerable 911, as well as the Boxster and the Cayman, is equipped with more powerful engines for 2008. After all, isn’t that what we expect from Porsche? Shouldn’t all the vehicles produced by the iconic German automaker be the best in their fields, the fastest around the track, and the hunkiest in suburban driveways across the country?

Well, sure. But in the Cayenne’s case, particularly the base model equipped with a V6, the extra power is justified, even necessary, when you consider that the Cayenne is a large, heavy vehicle that can always use a little extra umph to move it along the highway. But when you add in the fact that the new 2008 engines are actually more fuel-efficient that their forebears, and that the Cayenne has received some minor styling upgrades that make it more aerodynamic (and yes, again, more fuel efficient), well, just maybe that is news.

Besides, we can’t help writing about the Cayenne, or any other Porsche, for that matter. They’re cars that demand to be noticed. So we’re noticing them — it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

The new Cayenne (which has just arrived in showrooms) is available with a choice of three engines. The base 3.6-liter V6 gets a goose of 43 horsepower, to 290 horsepower, which drives the vehicle from 0 to 60 more than a second faster than the engine it replaced, while the new 4.8-liter V8 (available on the S trim package) receives a boost of 45 horsepower, to 385 horsepower. At the top of the heap is a twin-turbocharged V8, which produces a whopping 500 horsepower, up 50 horsepower from the previous model.

Porsche achieved those boosts in power via direct injection (on all three engines) and variable valve timing (on the V8 engines). The direct injection, by the way, also helps make the engines more fuel-efficient.

Exterior changes are subtle and include a revised front end, which helps improve aerodynamics, as well as new headlights and taillights, and a new rear spoiler. All-wheel-drive is standard across the line. The Cayenne also is equipped with more powerful brakes, and such new features as the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control system, which helps keep the vehicle level under hard cornering. And with all that additional power under the hood, you might be using that new leveling system more than you think.

Imprezas Impress: 2008 Subarus Times Two


by

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

by

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.

The 2008 Volvo V70: Your Own Personal Bodyguard


by

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

Hyundai Makes Headlines in Geneva


by

Hyundai announced this week that it plans to showcase two new vehicles–a stylish new hatchback and a concept crossover–at next week’s Geneva Auto Show. I don’t think any of the CarGurus are going to be there in person, but the folks at GlobalAutoIndex.com have a preview for us. The newly launched hatchback, named the “Hyundai i30”, is clearly influenced by the curvilinear Arnejs concept car displayed at last year’s Paris show.

Hyundai i30 It’s pretty! A little safer and boxier than the Arnejs concept, but overall it’s an attractive tweak of the standard hatchback form. According to the Hyundai press release, the new i-Series will expand to include a station wagon as well. One of the advantages of the i30 (again, according to the press release) is a longer wheelbase than other hatchbacks; this, Hyundai contends, means greater comfort for passengers and more cargo capacity.

That’s all well and good. What intrigues me most about the Hyundai i30, though, is its modular design. The i30 will be available with a choice of three gasoline engines and three diesel engines; all will be offered with both manual and automatic transmission.

Hyundai’s offering the i30 on the European market as a serious rival to the Volkswagen Golf. The five-door hatchback segment is super-hot right now, with Fiat’s Bravo relaunch and Punto retooling, not to mention the Opel Corsa OPC I’ve been drooling over. Hyundai’s entry, though, is stylish and affordable enough to give the European automakers a run for their money.

The other new Hyundai offering, the HED-4, is a concept crossover utility vehicle created in conjunction with GE Plastics. Yep, you read that right–plastics. Its features include a wrap-around Lexan windshield and a proprietary Elastic Front (TM) pedestrian safety system. All we’ve got is a sketch right now, but it looks super-cool.

Hyundai HED-4 The idea here is that the lightweight body is both environment- and pedestrian-friendly. Of course, this is a concept, and I’m not expecting to see people driving around in Lexan SUVs any time soon. But once again, we’re seeing a lot of creativity here, this time from South Korea. Are the Big Three going to catch up?

Read all about it at GlobalAutoIndex.com: http://www.globalautoindex.com/news/plt?no=1764

and at Caradisiac.com.