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The World of Cars Manufacturers
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Car & Driver Passenger Cars |
2006 Charting the Changes — Acura
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Acura
October 2005
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| Relaxing after the '05 introduction of a new
flagship sedan, the
RL, Acura eases into '06 with few changes. The
TSX's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine's horsepower is
boosted to 205, its nav and audio systems are upgraded, and it gets
a mild restyle front and rear. The RL adds an
optional Technology package that includes a grille-mounted radar
unit to activate seatbelt pretensioners and other systems in the
event of an impending collision. Unchanged:
TL, MDX,
RSX.
Dead: NSX.
Future: NSX successor in near term. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Chevrolet
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Chevrolet
October 2005
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| Chevy, which accounts for more than half of GM's
sales, is launching a redesigned
Impala and is pumping some juice into the rest of its
lineup with a fleet of SS models, each of which comes with
appropriate tough-guy inside and outside trim and badging. To back
up the look, the Impala SS gets the 5.3-liter small-block V-8 that's
rated at 303 horsepower; the
Cobalt SS Supercharged has a 205-hp, 2.0-liter
four-cylinder; the Malibu and
Malibu Maxx SS models use a 3.9-liter, 240-hp V-6; and
the Monte Carlo SS shares the Impala's 303-hp,
5.3-liter V-8. But the leader of this performance pack is the
$65,800
Corvette Z06, which comes with a new LS7
7.0-liter V-8 rated at 505 horsepower. Lesser Corvettes can
now be ordered with a six-speed paddle-shifting automatic
transmission. As for the remainder of Chevy's passenger-car stable,
the
Aveo gets standard dual-stage front and side-impact
airbags, and the Cobalt's powertrain warranty is extended to five
years/60,000 miles. Coming late to the retro design fad, Chevy
tries its hand with the
HHR ("Heritage High Roof"), a fat-fendered, five-seat
truck that's derived from the Cobalt platform. With base prices
between $15,990 and $18,790, the HHR competes against the popular
Chrysler PT Cruiser, Honda Element, and Scion xB. Chevy's other
retro truck, the SSR, which has been languishing on dealer lots, was
upgraded with the 400-hp LS2 V-8 last year and for '06 gets a pair
of two-tone color schemes. Chevy's bestselling vehicle, the
Silverado pickup, adds a half-ton extended-cab,
short-box model and the VortecMAX performance package to the
heavy-duty models that boosts towing capacity. On the heavy-duty
side, an all-new version of the Duramax 6600 turbo-diesel V-8 will
be an interim '06 option. When coupled with the all-new Allison 1000
six-speed automatic transmission, the 6.6-liter Duramax puts out 360
horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The TrailBlazer
gets more sound insulation and adds an SS model with a
Corvette-derived LS2 395-hp, 6.0-liter V-8. There's expanded
availability of the 5.3-liter Displacement on Demand V-8, the LT
gets a revised exterior, and the base six-cylinder engine gets a
power boost to 291 horses. The Uplander adds the
new GM 240-hp, 3.9-liter OHV V-6 as an option. The Suburban
adds an LTZ model with 20-inch wheels and monochromatic exterior
styling.
Unchanged: Avalanche,
Colorado,
Equinox, Express,
Tahoe,
SSR.
Dead: Blazer, Astro.
Future: All-new Suburban and Tahoe based on
GMT900 architecture, the next generation of GM's full-size pickups
and SUVs, in early to mid '06. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Dodge
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Dodge
October 2005
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| Resurrecting another name from the past, Dodge
leads off with the new
Charger. Unlike its two-door muscle-car predecessor,
this Charger is a four-door sedan derived from Chrysler's 300
platform. The difference, according to Chrysler Group CEO and
president Dieter Zetsche: "Chrysler was always elegance. Dodge is
power, in your face. This is what led to the Charger." And that's
about it for Dodge's cars, except that the
Stratus R/T gets new ground-effects trim and a
performance suspension, and the Viper adds a
coupe that we'll test next month. Unchanged:
Magnum, Stratus.
Dead: SRT4, Neon.
Future: A Neon replacement, likely called the
Caliber, is expected to be a small wagon-like SUV and will turn
up next year. A redesigned Stratus is expected by late summer 2006.
Lots is happening with Dodge trucks. First, there's a brand-new
Ram 1500 pickup. It has a new hydroformed, fully boxed
frame and suspension and comes in regular-cab and four-door body
styles, in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and six- or
eight-foot cargo beds. Its engine is a 345-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8
with a standard Multi-displacement System (MDS) that runs on eight
cylinders or four as conditions dictate. Then there's the new Ram
Mega Cab, which Dodge boasts has the industry's largest cabin, with
145.2 cubic feet of interior space. The Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500
pickups are mildly restyled and add the TRX4 Off-Road package that
comes with 17-inch aluminum wheels and lots of rugged stuff. The
Dakota, new for '05, expands its lineup with four new
high-performance models: TRX, TRX4 Off-Road, R/T, and Night Runner.
The
Durango also gets MDS, a new electronic stability
program, roll-sensing curtain airbags, and a power liftgate. Access
to the second-row storage bins in the Stow 'n Go seating system in
the Caravan and
Grand Caravan have been improved.
Unchanged: Sprinter. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Ford
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Ford
October 2005
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| The '05
Mustang has been such a hit that Ford told dealers to
stop taking orders for it in June. For '06, there's a Pony package,
which gives V-6 Mustangs something of a GT look and feel. The actual
GT supercar will offer a limited-edition model to
commemorate Ford's one-two-three Le Mans sweep in 1966. More
important for Ford is the Fusion, which replaces the Taurus (still
to be built for the time being) and, with a starting price of
$17,995, represents the company's bid to recapture a chunk of the
high-volume mid-size-sedan segment. The
Fusion uses a Mazda 6-based platform that's shared with
the
Lincoln Zephyr and
Mercury Milan and as many as seven future Ford vehicles.
Unchanged:
Crown Victoria,
Five Hundred,
Focus, Taurus.
Dead: Thunderbird.
Future: Accelerated redesign schedule to make
the Five Hundred less bland. Fusion hybrid in 2008.
On the truck side, the
F-150 gets a Harley-Davidson trim package with a
"menacing monotone black exterior," expanded availability of 20-inch
wheels, and a new configuration—a four-door SuperCab with a
6.5-foot-long cargo box. The Ranger gets a "more
aggressive" look and expanded choices of options packages and
powertrains. The
Explorer gets a substantial redesign. E-series
vans will come standard with Roll Stability Control on 12-and
15-passenger models.
Unchanged: Escape,
Escape hybrid, Expedition, F-250 and F-350 Super Duty,
Freestar,
Freestyle.
Dead: Explorer Sport Trac, Excursion.
Future:
SVT Sport Trac hot-rod sport-utility truck with four-wheel
independent suspension on Explorer platform, in 2007. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — GMC
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GMC
October 2005
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| There are just the usual sort of year-to-year
changes in a lineup that's essentially identical to Chevy Truck's,
despite GMC's claim of being "Professional Grade." The
Sierra increases towing capacity on some models and adds a
new diesel (see Chevy Silverado) for heavy-duty models. There's a
bit of feature shuffling to lower the price on some base models.
Also, the Sierra hybrid will be available nationwide. The
Envoy/Yukon/ Yukon Denali roster, both mid-size and Chevy
Suburban-derived, is mildly spruced up with some chrome trim. Across
the line, StabiliTrak electronic stability control and a
tire-pressure monitoring system become standard. Gone is the option
of four-wheel steering on the big trucks. Unchanged:
Savana,
Canyon.
Dead: Envoy XUV, Safari.
Future: Yukon using GMT900 architecture, the
next generation of GM's full-size pickups and SUVs, in early to mid
'06. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Honda
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Honda
October 2005
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| Honda is bringing out an all-new Civic
coupe and sedan, which will include a hybrid four-door version (see
Technical Highlight below), with a newly designed engine, and a
sporty
Si model with a 197-hp engine. The
Accord gets a nose and deck redo and a bit more power
for its V-6 and four-banger engines. The
S2000 is upgraded with drive-by-wire throttle control
and a vehicle stability system. Breaking into the truck segment,
Honda introduced the '06
Ridgeline earlier this year. The
Pilot adds a two-wheel-drive version with Honda's
Variable Cylinder Management. Unchanged: CR-V,
Element, Insight,
Odyssey.
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHT
 The
renewal of Honda's Civic lineup extends to the hybrid sedan, which
receives several upgrades that enhance performance and fuel economy.
Although the Integrated Motor Assist is fundamentally the same as
introduced in the Insight two-seater—an electric motor bolted
between the car's internal-combustion engine and transmission,
providing acceleration assist on demand—the latest version
incorporates two new wrinkles. First, the system now allows the
Civic to run on battery alone for brief periods (one to five
minutes) at low speeds (10 to 30 mph). Since the electric motor is
always coupled to the engine, the key to this electric-only
operation is a new system that seals the engine's cylinders to
reduce pumping losses. Honda also improved the electric motor's
output (from 13 to 20 horsepower) and regenerative capability
without increasing its size by using flat copper wires, rather than
round, for the windings. This allows more wire to fit in the same
space, hence the stronger motor. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Hummer
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Hummer
October 2005
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Still trying to make the transition from fad to
fixture, Hummer is introducing the
H3. "It's a smaller, gentler, kinder, more
fuel-efficient Hummer," says Gary Cowger, GM group V-P of global
manufacturing and labor relations. Based on the Chevy Colorado and
GMC Canyon truck platform, the H3 is six inches lower, 6.5 inches
narrower, and almost 17 inches shorter than the H2.
Hummer hopes to sell more than 40,000 H3s annually for about $30,000
each. Also new is the H1 Alpha, a powered-up
version of the original king-size Hummer that's equipped with a
300-hp, 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel to improve emissions and fuel
economy.
Unchanged: H2,
H2 SUT. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Hyundai
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Hyundai
October 2005
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| Hyundai is on track to sell a half-million cars in
2005 but is not letting success slow it down. The Korean automaker
has three new cars for '06. First up is a new Accent
sedan that's roomier than its predecessor and comes in just one trim
level, GLS, which, at a starting price under $12,000, includes
standard items such as a 172-watt audio system, but air conditioning
and a sport package are optional. Then there's the
Sonata, built in Alabama, which now has an optional
235-hp, 3.3-liter V-6 engine. The Azera, Hyundai's
bid to break into the mid-lux range, comes with eight airbags,
16-inch alloy wheels, and lots of electronic gear, all at a starting
price of under $25,000. The Elantra, the
Tiburon, the
Tucson, and the Santa Fe each add a
new trim level. Dead: XG350. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Jeep
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Jeep
October 2005
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| Chrysler continues to expand the Jeep lineup with
the Commander, a seven-seat SUV that shares its
underbody with the Grand Cherokee but has a squared-off look
reminiscent of an old Willys station wagon and the old Cherokee. It
comes with a choice of three full-time four-wheel-drive systems and
three engines, including a 5.7-liter Hemi. The
Grand Cherokee, new last year, gets an SRT8 version
that is powered by a 415-hp, 6.1-liter Hemi. The Wrangler
adds the Golden Eagle Edition, an upscale trim package.
Unchanged: Liberty.
Future: A four-door version of the open-top
Wrangler is expected to begin production next year, to be followed
by a redesigned Wrangler. A smaller SUV, likely called the Compass
and riding on the next Dodge Neon platform, should be out within two
years. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Kia
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Kia
October 2005
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| Kia is methodically revamping its entire lineup.
Last year, it debuted a
Spectra and followed it up with a
Sportage. For 2006, the former gets a new transmission
and the latter adds an air-filtration system. More significant, 2006
sees the introduction of new
Rio four- and five-door models powered by a new 110-hp,
1.6-liter DOHC CVVT four-cylinder engine. And there's a brand-new
version of the Sedona minivan, which will include a
standard fold-flat-into-the-floor third-row seat.
Unchanged: Optima,
Amanti, Sorento. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Land Rover
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Land Rover
October 2005
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| The '06
Range Rover Sport is not just a trim level. The
confusingly named truck gets most of its parts from the LR3 and is
slotted between the Range Rover and LR3. The naturally aspirated
Sport has a base price of $56,750, and the supercharged model starts
at $69,750. Since its intro last year, the
LR3 has become Land Rover's bestseller and enters '06
with new engine options. In addition to a 300-hp, 4.4-liter V-8, now
there's a Ford-derived 216-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 model for $39,615, as
opposed to $45,450 for the V-8. The
Range Rover gets two new engines: a supercharged
400-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 and a naturally aspirated 305-hp, 4.4-liter
V-8. The blown version tallies in at $89,950. Dead:
Freelander.
Future: Freelander replacement based on enlarged
version of Ford's C1 platform (Mazda 3, Volvo S40, European Ford
Focus), coming in 2007. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Mazda
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Mazda
October 2005
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| Mazda says the 2006
MX-5 is the "first total redesign" of its now-iconic
roadster. Also new this year is the 5, a three-row, six-passenger
wagonette that comes in two trim levels, Sport and Touring. The
company's hot-rod shop has put the wood to the 6 and come up with
the
Mazdaspeed 6, which processes 274 horsepower through an
all-wheel-drive system and comes with the usual range of go-fast
trim and features. The regular 6 line is mildly
redesigned and updated, with four-cylinder models getting a
five-speed automatic in place of a four-speed. The spunky 3
adds variable valve timing to the 2.0-liter engine and a Grand
Touring model. Unchanged:
RX-8, MPV, Tribute, B-series.
Future: CX-7, a car-based SUV on a stretched and
widened 6 platform, is expected in 2007. The Mazdaspeed 3, a
high-performance version of the five-door 3, in late 2006 or early
2007. And an RX-8 update early next year. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Mini
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Mini
October 2005
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| BMW's toy division continues to do well, with sales
of the Cooper coupe and
convertible likely to outpace 40,000 for 2005. For 2006, the
only changes are the shuffling around of some options and trim
choices and a few new colors. Future: A Cooper
four-door with tiny rear doors late next year. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Mitsubishi
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Mitsubishi
October 2005
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| Rocked by a scandal in Japan and shaken by falling
sales in the U.S., Mitsubishi is trying to dig its way out with two
new models. The first is a complete redo of the popular and always
stylish
Eclipse, which is longer, wider, and roomier than the
previous generation. The second is the company's first pickup that's
based on the Dodge Dakota. Called the Raider, it
comes with either a V-8 or V-6 in two- or four-wheel drive and a
couple of cab configurations. Unchanged:
Endeavor, Lancer,
Lancer Evolution, Outlander, Galant,
Montero.
Future: Mid-size model off Chrysler
Sebring/Dodge Stratus platform, expected by late summer 2006. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Nissan
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Nissan
October 2005
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| The
350Z gets some minor upgrades and a boost to 300
horsepower for six-speed-manual models. Nissan is taking a breather
after launching new versions in 2005 of the
Pathfinder,
Frontier, and
Xterra. The Titan and the
Armada have new power-folding mirrors, the Xterra adds an
entry-level X model, the Murano sports new wheels
and a restyled grille, and the
Quest adds a 3.5 Special Edition trim package.
Unchanged:
Maxima,
Altima, Sentra, Frontier, Pathfinder, Xterra.
Future: Nissan may launch one or two subcompacts
based on the Cube, which is sold in Japan. All-new Altima and Sentra
are due within a year. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Saab
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Saab
October 2005
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| There's some confusion about the vintage of Saab's
first SUV, the
9-7X. Although production began in 2005 and some were
sold as '05s, Saab is considering '06 as the rollout year. No
matter, the 9-7X is a five-passenger variant of GM's mid-size-SUV
platform with distinct Saab touches such as the
center-console-mounted ignition switch. Also new is the
9-3 SportCombi five-door wagon. The top-of-the-line
Aero "form," as Saab calls its trim levels, gets a new 250-hp,
2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 with a standard six-speed manual or an
optional six-speed automatic with steering-wheel controls. The 9-3
Linear and Arc merge into a single base model using Saab's 210-hp
four-cylinder turbo engine. Unchanged:
9-2X, 9-5. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Subaru
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Subaru
October 2005
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| Subaru's splashmaker is the
B9 Tribeca, a full-size SUV that comes in five- and
seven-passenger forms and uses Subaru's familiar 250-hp,
opposed-six-cylinder boxer engine. The 2.5-liter boxer engine in the
base Forester, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback
is fitted with a new variable valve gear and bumped to 173
horsepower. These cars also get bigger front brakes, a mesh-type
grille, and a taillamp redo. The turbocharged Forester 2.5XT Limited
and
Impreza WRX models get more power and now share a 230-hp,
2.5-liter engine, The entire Impreza line sports a B9-esque front
end. Our favorite Subie, the 300-hp
Impreza WRX STI, gets cosmetic tweaks, including the addition of
a roof-mounted spoiler and a lower hood scoop. Unchanged:
Baja. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Suzuki
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Suzuki
October 2005
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| The Forenza sedan and wagon get
freshened front-end styling and a new wheel design and come in a
simplified trim-level structure. We're still wondering what a "Vitara"
is, grand or otherwise. In any event, there's a new one. According
to Suzuki, this Grand Vitara combines unibody
and ladder-frame construction, has an independent suspension,
and will be available with dual-range four-wheel drive.
Unchanged:
Verona, Aerio,
Reno, XL-7. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Toyota
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Toyota
October 2005
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| The
Avalon, introduced early for '06, is a larger, more
powerful, and better-looking version of what had been a pretty
anonymous sedan, despite its position at the top of Toyota's line.
The Prius hybrid gets redesigned front and rear
lamps, new colors, and more luxury options such as a leather
interior and a rearview camera. Otherwise, Toyota is concentrating
on solidifying its lead in the hybrid race—it plans to double global
production of these vehicles to 500,000 next year.
Unchanged: Camry, Camry Solara, Corolla, Corolla Matrix,
Echo.
Dead: MR2 Spyder, Celica.
Future: More hybrids, including built-in-North
America Prius and Camry, and an Echo replacement.
Toyota's truck line adds a Highlander hybrid
powered by a 208-hp six-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The
4Runner gets a mild facial, new colors, and a few
trim and equipment upgrades, as does the Sienna.
The Land Cruiser's 4.7-liter V-8 is upgraded with
variable valve timing, upping power to 275 horsepower, 40 more than
previously, and the big truck gets a new grille, headlamps, and
taillamps. The RAV4 is scheduled for a major
redesign later this year.
Unchanged: Highlander,
Sequoia,
Tacoma,
Tundra.
Future: The FJ Cruiser, a boxy two-door SUV with
military overtones. A "heavy duty" pickup to compete with the likes
of Ford's Super Duty. And a bigger Tundra that will be built in San
Antonio in late 2006.
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2006 Charting the Changes — Volkswagen
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Volkswagen
October 2005
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| After a mostly fallow 2005, VW is on a new-model
rush, starting with a sixth-generation
Passat. The redesigned and restyled car's standard
engine is a 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a
280-hp, 3.6-liter VR6 is optional. The turbo four becomes standard
on the
Jetta GLI and optional on the Jetta. The New
Beetle gets a mild redesign and a new standard engine, a
150-hp, 2.5-liter five-cylinder with either a five-speed manual or
six-speed automatic transmission. The current GTI
carries on without the optional VR6 until an
all-new version, based on the Audi A3, debuts. The
Phaeton W-12 engine's output is raised to 444 horses. The
Golf range is diminished by the elimination of the
two-door GL and four-door GL turbo-diesel. The Touareg
gains a new standard engine, a 3.6-liter VR6 with direct injection
and 276 horsepower, 36 more than the last VR6. Future:
The next generation of the New Beetle and Golf to be launched late
this year and in 2006. A Passat four-door "coupe" in 2008. |
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2006 Charting the Changes — Volvo
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Volvo
October 2005
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| Volvo's hardtop-convertible
C70 is back, with a 218-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged
inline-five making 236 pound-feet of torque. Not much else happening
at Ford's Swedish branch. The
S60R and V70R get an optional
six-speed automatic transmission and a new all-wheel-drive system
with Instant Traction, an innovative traction-control system. The
XC90 and XC70 get Instant Traction
standard. Across the line there are minor modifications, such as
"new, improved cup holders" and a simplified package and options
structure. Unchanged:
S40, S80,
V50.
Future: C30, an entry-level three-door hatchback
based on the S40, late next year. |
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AUTOS
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Luxury Cars — Facts
 Last year,
Americans bought just over 500,000 new luxury cars, accounting for just
over three percent of total new light-vehicle sales. Priced above
$34,000, luxury cars represent an ideal of comfort, security, prestige
and elegance. In recent years, luxury car sales had slowed as a growing
number of luxury sport utilities have taken their place on the road.
Luxury
Cars Lists
Entry Luxury Cars
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Luxury Cars
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Ultra-Luxury Cars
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
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Passenger Cars — Facts
The
passenger car category is, by far, the largest and most competitive in
the auto business—in 2003, passenger cars accounted for almost 47
percent of total vehicle sales. With prices starting around $9,000,
consumers have a staggering number of nameplates and body styles to
choose from—the number of individual trims tops 300.
Passenger
Cars Lists
Small Passenger Cars
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Midsize Passenger Cars
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Large Passenger Cars
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Station Wagons
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
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Sport Utilities — Facts
The
sport-utility vehicle (SUV) category is one of the hottest in the
industry, making up more than 26 percent of the market in 2003,
according to research done by J.D. Power and Associates. Consequently,
consumers are paying top dollar for these popular new vehicles as
automakers seize the opportunity, bringing to market a range of new and
exciting all-purpose vehicles.
Sport
Utilities Lists
Small Sport-Utility Vehicles
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Midsize Sport-Utility Vehicles
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Large Sport-Utility Vehicles
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
Luxury Sport-Utility Vehicles
· Read
article · Vehicle
list
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