Vince Burlapp Car Page

2011 Ford Edge

2010-02-09T22:03:00.000-08:00

That's a pretty amazing change, without changing everything.

I think they did a much better job with this than with the Fusion last year.
Especially inside.

Although we'll have to see and feel the real thing. I was quite disappointed with the interior feel of the plastics inside the 2010 Mustang.
But the new "revised" Edge does look great.
At it is the 1st model offered with the all new 2.0 Liter Ecoboost engine.
The 3.5 Liter V6 is still available, now with 285hp.

Some of the official words"

"In addition to delivering customer-focused technology, the new Edge also showcases Ford's impressive drive to bring new powertrain options to the customer. Both the Edge 3.5-liter V-6 and Edge Sport 3.7-liter V-6 use advanced engine valvetrain technology (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT) and clever control strategies to increase horsepower and torque to best-in-class levels. This beats competitors such as the BMW X5, Lexus RX350 and Audi Q5, all while delivering unsurpassed fuel economy of 27 mpg (3.5-liter V-6 highway).

The 3.5-liter V-6 produces 285 horsepower and 253 ft.-lb. of torque while the 3.7-liter V-6 delivers 305 horsepower and 280 ft.-lb. of torque – all on regular fuel. Edge's unsurpassed fuel economy is not at the expense of power and performance. For example, the 3.5-liter V-6 with Ti-VCT technology delivers highway fuel economy that is 15 percent better than the Nissan Murano but produces 20 horsepower more.

Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SelectShift Automatic™ transmission is standard on the 2011 Edge SEL and Limited series, with class-exclusive paddle activation of the SelectShift standard on the 2011 Edge Sport.

In addition, the arrival of the new 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine in the months ahead will give customers still more choice and will deliver class-leading fuel economy with impressive power and torque.

The new EcoBoost I-4 will be mated to a six-speed transmission that will help channel the impressive performance from the new EcoBoost engine. With the introduction of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, fuel economy on the new Edge will be 30 percent better than it was in 2006. Plus, Ford's newest EcoBoost engine will deliver on the promise of 15 percent fuel economy improvements versus the Edge's current 3.5-liter V-6 engine while offering the performance feel of a six-cylinder."

2011 Ford Edge Sport

2010-02-09T21:59:00.000-08:00

More black, less chrome. 305hp...

"The 2011 Edge Sport is powered by a 3.7-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine that produces 305 horsepower and is similar to the one added to the 2011 Ford Mustang. The 2011 Edge Sport includes all of the content found on Edge SEL as well as a specially tuned suspension, paddle shift transmission and its own unique style.

The Edge Sport's class-exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels have distinctive Tuxedo Black spoke accents. Other unique styling cues include a Tuxedo Black grille, smoked headlamp and taillamp treatment, body-color rocker moldings, oval chrome exhaust tips, body-color door cladding and revised body-color lower front and rear fascias.

Key interior differentiators are liquid silver smoke appliqués that are echoed in the silver smoke metallic leather seat inserts, aluminum pedals and class-exclusive paddle shifters, which activate the six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission to give customers the option of a fun-to-shift manual experience.

In SelectShift mode, the transmission doesn't second-guess the driver, offering total control over gear selection and performance feel. Upshifts, for instance, are not commanded at redline, and downshifts are allowed at the lowest gear possible as defined by the engine speed.

When the system is in manual mode, engine speed matching provides faster and smoother downshifts, and customers get the gear they request within the limits of the rev limiter.

When a lower gear is selected while descending a long downhill grade, the 2011 Ford Edge Sport in SelectShift mode will hold that gear until the driver manually upshifts or returns to the fully automatic setting. To ensure safe shifting, the transmission will downshift to the lowest acceptable gear, based on a calculated maximum speed. That means if a vehicle were traveling at highway speeds, the driver could not downshift to first gear in SelectShift mode."

What car is this???

2010-02-09T21:45:00.000-08:00

It came out in 1997. And "died" in 2000...

New Volvo S60 video

2010-02-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

In action. And not...

That really dark wood on the console still seems out of place to me.
More Lexus and Buick than Volvo...

Audi A1 video

2010-02-09T19:30:00.000-08:00

Watch Audi's head of design drool over his own work.
Almost embarrassing.

Not that the new A1 is a bad looking car.
But it's really nothing we haven't seen before.

2012/13 Ford Mondeo/Fusion?

2010-02-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

Who knows...

But after seeing the current Taurus and the great looking 2011 Focus, I am sure the next Fusion will look great.
It does need a redesign. The current car looks really old to these other Ford sedans.

All new Audi A1

2010-02-09T16:08:00.000-08:00

Finally official pictures of the smallest Audi model.

I guess this is kind of a modern version of the old Audi 50 from the 70's.
And more modern competition to the Mini Cooper.

So far, the top gas engine is a 1.4 Liter with 122hp.
So it's not competing with the S version of the Cooper. Yet...

Some official words on engines:

"Audi will initially offer the A1 with four engines. The two TFSI gasoline engines and the two TDI diesels cover a power range from 63 kW (86 hp) to 90 kW
(122 hp). Each of them is state-of-the-art.

All of the engines employ direct fuel injection and turbocharging. This downsizing concept coupled with technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform give them tremendous power with minimal fuel consumption ranging from 3.8 to
5.4 liters per 100 km (43.56 – 61.90 US mpg).

The entry-level gasoline engine is the new 1.2 TFSI. It generates 63 kW (86 hp) and produces its peak torque of 160 Nm (118.01 lb-ft) already between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. Coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, the four-cylinder accelerates the A1 from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 12.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 179 km/h (111.23 mph). In the EU driving cycle, it consumes only 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (46.12 US mpg), which corresponds to only 119 grams of CO2/km (191.51 g/mile)."

Slightly revised BMW X5 video

2010-02-09T14:03:00.000-08:00

Ever so slightly "revised"...

New Mini ad

2010-02-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

At least new to me. I haven't seen it before.

I also don't think we'll see these as giant posters in our US streets anytime soon.

2011 Volvo S60

2010-02-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

A good looking car that might be trying too hard.

The interior seems just a bit cheezy to me. Maybe it's too shinny or something.
It might be better in person.

A wagon is also due shortly.

European Honda CR-Z

2010-02-08T22:45:00.000-08:00

With LEDs, rear seats and a glass roof!

What is wrong with Honda?!
None of these are available in the US version.
Why???

These should at least be options.

They just admitted a few days ago that the new Insight was not as successful as they had hoped in the US.
They say it's too small for our market.

More mistakes are being made with the CR-Z, by not offering any of the Euro features over here.
Plus the 35MPG rating isn't going to bring in Hybrid fanatics.

So close yet so far off....

And now for some answers...

2010-02-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

2012 Kia Optima

2010-02-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

It will becalled the K5 in other markets, but Ki seems to want to keep the Optima name in the US.
The new Sonata cousin looks like another nice looking sedan.

If it turns out close to this at all....

Hollywood cars

2010-02-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

Not everyone drives a Prius in Hollywood anymore.
The big thirsty classics like the Rolls Royce are back.

Can you guess who drives what?

2012 Hyundai Azera

2010-02-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Looking pretty nice, like most Hyundai designs lately.

But I am not sure why they would sill offer the Azera.
The current one has never been a hit by any mean. Just like the previous one.
I guess this will have the V6 the new Sonata isn't getting.
But is that enough of a difference?

The new Sonata tops at over $28 000 loaded.
Then the Genesis starts at around $33 000. I guess technically, there is room for another sedan in between.
Although the new larger Sonata is almost as roomy as the Genesis sedan...

We'll see...

New Lancia Ypsilon to become a small Chrysler

2010-02-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

No, this is not the current Lancia Delta, even though it does look a lot like it. This illustration shows what the next Ypsilon model could look like.
Pretty much like a smaller Delta.
Anf Fiat plans to sell it as a small Chrysler when it goes out sometime next year. Just in time to compete with the new Ford Fiesta, both in Europe and the US.
It could be called the Chrysler Java in the US.

The current Ypsilon design is from 2003. It got a new front end in 2006.
So a new one is long overdue.

It could give Chrysler the modern small car they never had.
If they're still around by then...

2011 VW Touareg

2010-02-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

Still not sure if this is the real thing or not.
Could be just yet another illustration.

But it does match all the previous spy shots.

Nothing groundbreaking here...

Mr. Toyoda apologizes

2010-02-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

This is actually pretty amazing .

I don't remember anyone from Ford apologizing to the families of those 27 people killed and injured in the Pinto fires in the 70's.
It took them 4 years (!) to recall the car.

I am not saying Ford is the Devil and Toyota is great.
It does seem that Toyota, even after trying to hide things for a while, is doing the right thing.

But it is also a sign of times, where companies cannot get away with what they used to in the past.
Everything is everywhere right away. We live in a time where "secret memos" are all over the internet.

All new Renault Megane CC

2010-02-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

The new generation Megane finally gets its convertible version.

Quite a good looking car. And just like the VW Eos, it offers a glass roof. I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the black painted roof pillars though...

Not for here...

Chevrolet Camaro test drive coming up!

2010-02-04T21:34:00.000-08:00

Finally!

I have been waiting for this car since I saw the stunning concept.
I will be driving both the V6 and the V8 versions. In a couple of weeks. (At least that's the plan so far)
They will be my daily drivers for 2 weeks.

My experience so far was just sitting in one of them at the auto show.
The thing I noticed the most was the light feeling of the door with the window down.
The rest of the interior was fine, considering the car starts at about $23000. And I am not a big fan of the Mustang interior anyway...

So if you have any questions, go ahead.

On another note, my future test drives will also include a Hyundai Genesis coupe, as well as the new Opel Astra and the Insignia. Which will both make it into the US as Buicks.
Should be interesting...

Rollover test result for pick-up trucks

2010-02-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

What a difference between the Nissan and the Chevy.

And also, check out the "old news" footage they have at the beginning where a Pontiac Grand Am is being towed.
That's a scry sight...

2011/12 Kia Optima

2010-02-04T11:31:00.000-08:00

Right now, the new Sonata is getting all the attention, but later this year, Kia will release its cousin, the all new Optima.
And it seems to be quite a looker as well. At least from previous spy pics.

Here are some details of the car.

Just like in the Sonata, the korean model, at least, will not offer a V6.
We'll see what will happen once it gets over here.
A V6 option might be a good idea to make sure the Kia isn't competing too much with the Sonata.

Next Alfa Romeo Spider?

2010-02-03T18:33:00.000-08:00

This just an illustration so far.
From this, it looks like they would go "retro". Which might not be a bad thing for an Alfa.
Pininfarina will be showing a Spider concept at the Geneva auto show this year.
From the teaser we've seen of it a few days ago, it looks like the real design will actually be more modern than this illustration.

This is the current model. Based on the Brera hatchback. The one we've never seen in the US.

Almost 5 years old and looking great....

"Stop driving Toyotas" says Secretary Ray LaHood

2010-02-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

In a sudden fit of irresponsibility, Department of Transportation Secretary Ray laHood now says publicly that owners of recalled Toyotas should "stop driving their cars".

Pretty crazy if you ask me.
Just tell people to go get the cars fixed ASAP but don't start a panic.

Here is the stuff from CNN:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told lawmakers Wednesday that Toyota owners should stop driving cars affected by the recall and bring them back to the company.

"My advice is if anyone owns one of these vehicles stop driving it and take it to Toyota dealer because they believe they have a fix for it," LaHood told a House committee.
Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, had asked if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should broadcast information about how to handle a sticky gas pedal -- whether the driver should shift into neutral, brake or turn off the car.

LaHood said that safety information has been publicized, but his own advice would be to not drive the recalled cars at all.

LaHood also acknowledged that NHTSA is investigating Toyotas not just for problems with gas pedals, but for problems with the electrical systems, as well."

From CNN
..................

UPDATE FROM A.P:

"WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood now says he misspoke when telling owners of recalled Toyotas to stop driving then.
Instead, LaHood says take them to dealerships to get them repaired.
LaHood told reporters it was "obviously a misstatement" when he told a House panel earlier Wednesday that he would advise owners not to drive recalled vehicles. The remark came during testimony to the Appropriations subcommittee on transportation."

More pictures of the all new 2011 Kia Sportage

2010-02-03T08:45:00.000-08:00