Hot Car Trends In 2010

By Sarah Harris

As Honda, Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen inadvertently make our roads safer by recalling nearly all their faulty cars, the remainder of the motor industry is leaping ahead in 2010 with a series of advanced designs and technologies to make our driving experience even more pleasurable.

Ford in particular is producing sleeker, sportier looking cars, with their focus (if you will pardon the pun) on bodylines and big wheels – the new Mustang is a prime example of how a car for the “tennies” should look and perform, and this is a trend which is being mirrored by other major car manufacturers – notably Mercedes, Chevrolet and Chrysler. Everybody seems to be including voice activated navigation systems, Bluetooth capabilities and restricted driving modes as standard, and aiming (or claiming) to produce higher levels of car safety, comfort and vehicle security.

However, the biggest leap forward that we are seeing in 2010 is the drive towards environmental awareness and the further development of hybrid cars that are partially electrically driven or use biofuels (E85) as their energy source.

In what was once a market that existed because it was fashionable rather than profitable, increased public awareness of environmental issues and the demand that something be done about it, has lead to a higher volume of hybrid cars being produced and marketed. Hybrid vehicles are now also becoming easier to buy and sell – both in the new and used car markets.

Some of the key issues and perceptions surrounding hybrid cars are still to be resolved (particularly with the Prius!) but steps such as Fords SmartGauge are addressing any remaining public reticence with novelty value. Gimmickry such as the vine leaves on the EcoGuide act as a constant reminder to drivers to drive more efficiently, and advise new converts to eco-driving when to engage battery power in their vehicles.

More efficient uses of electrical power within the vehicle means that batteries are lasting longer and do not require such a long recharging period – in fact most of the recharging is now done by the other functions of the car. As we are seeing cars produce figures of up to 65 mpg (Honda Insight) and well over 40 mpg on average, more consumers are looking at hybrid cars not only for their environmental friendliness, but also their economy and value.

The prices of these vehicles are also coming down. Mazda is leading the way with their hybrid Tribute series costing little more than a gas driven version, and many of the other Japanese manufacturers are looking at developing similar no-frill, economy models. The government’s introduction of tax credits for up to 30% of the purchase price of hybrid cars, or converting existing gas powered ones, will help cushion the blow of purchasing an environmentally friendly vehicle until such time as the costs reach parity.

As hybrid technologies continue to improve, and become less expensive, the best of the hybrid cars may be some way into the future. There may even be a day when vehicles capable of 65mpg seem inefficient – but not in 2010!

Sarah Harris provides marketing support for Massage Therapy, the premier online resource for those trying to locate a massage therapy school.

Speculation Abounds Regarding Ford Ranger Replacement

Since the early 1970s, the Ford Motor Company has had a small pickup truck in its line up, initially selling the Mazda built Ford Courier before replacing that model with the Ford Ranger in 1983. Today, the Ranger soldiers on but the truck is woefully outdated and needing a major makeover. Indeed, Ford says that the current model will be retired in 2011, but has been pretty much mum about its replacement.

What Truck Is This?

Ford appears to be committed to selling a compact pickup truck, a segment with plenty of room to grow. Lots of people like the big Ford F-150, but find it to be too much truck for their needs. GM, Toyota and Nissan all have newer, smaller trucks in their line ups, with the latter two companies dominating the entry level truck market.

Over the past few months, spy shots of what appears to be a new Ford truck have surfaced on the internet. For its part, Ford has said that a truck slightly smaller than the F-150, dubbed the F-100 might hit the market, while others know that Ford plans to roll out a compact truck overseas through its Thailand operation.

Giving Ford Australia Responsibility

Ford has also tasked Ford Australia with designing and developing a new truck, code-named the T6 which could be readied for world markets other than the US in 2011. That model is expected to be equipped with various small gas and diesel engines, the types of powerplants desired in most markets. Recent rumors have indicated that prototypes of the T6 are being tested in the US right now, which would show that Ford may be taking a new approach with the Ranger.

So why would Ford hold the Ranger or its replacement back from the US market? For one, costs make building the truck here prohibitive – like so many small Ford cars, building them in markets where labor costs are low is the only way Ford can turn a profit with the Ranger. In addition, US safety and emissions requirements add to the cost of building the Ranger, one more reason why getting the replacement Ranger to the US market may be a tall order to fill.

We’ll let you know if we hear fresh speculation about the replacement Ranger. Ford has its hands full bringing the Fiesta and all new Focus to the market, compact cars which could pave the way for the next generation Ranger.

See Also — Is Ford Itching To Sell Mazda?

Mazda3: Dressed To Impress!

Mazda rolled out the next generation of its hugely popular compact car, the Mazda3, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show and I must say that I am impressed by this model. One in three Mazdas sold worldwide is the Mazda3 (called the Acela in Japan) and that doesn’t surprise me: the car is one of the most attractive, versatile and interesting cars in the compact car segment.  I’ll share more information about the Mazda3 following the seven pictures featured:

Now in its second generation, the 2010 Mazda3 (available Spring 2009) offers the following:

• A richer looking, more dynamic exterior design
• Added driving enjoyment with improved performance in all areas
• Progressive environmental and safety features
• A higher level of standard and optional equipment
• A level of sophistication above that available from any other car in the segment

The MAZDA3 i is powered by an MZR 2.0-liter four-in-line engine delivering 148 horsepower at 6500 rpm (PZEV = 144 @ 6500 rpm) and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm (PZEV = 132 @ 4500 rpm). Aluminum block and head construction saves weight. In the interests of power and efficiency, four valves per cylinder are operated by dual overhead camshafts.

The new MZR 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine fitted to the MAZDA3 s is borrowed from the larger all-new 2009 MAZDA6. It shares the same construction features of the 2.0-liter engine while upping output to 167 horsepower at 6000 rpm (PZEV = 165 @ 6000 rpm) and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm (PZEV = 167 @ 4000 rpm). Both engines employ advanced electronic throttle actuation. Mazda’s exclusive torque base control technology provides a highly linear acceleration response to every change of throttle pedal pressure.

A slick-shifting five-speed manual transmission is standard in the MAZDA3 i, while the MAZDA3 s is equipped with a six-speed stick-shift transmission. A five-speed electronically controlled Sport-AT automatic transmission is available in both models. Sport-AT offers enthusiastic drivers the control of manual gear engagement with the convenience and comfort of a conventional automatic.

Fuel economy is exemplary and was key to the vehicle’s development. The MAZDA3 i achieves 25 mpg in city driving with the manual transmission and 24 mpg with the automatic. The highway mileage with the 2.0-liter engine is 33 mpg with either transmission. The MAZDA3 s also tops 20 mpg in all conditions. Equipped with the six-speed manual transmission, its city rating is 21 mpg, rising to 22 mpg with the 5-speed automatic. The highway rating is 29 mpg with either transmission.

Source: Mazda USA