Tata Enters The Auto X-Prize

Tata Motors has become the first major automaker to enter the 70-team field competing for the Automotive X-Prize. Having recently announced the development of the world's cheapest car and the purchase of Jaguar and Land Rover, taking on a bunch of guys who would probably be happier at the 24 hours of LeMons the uncanny X-Prize is probably just another day's work for Ratan Tata's lads. Of course, credit where credit's due: Tata is not signing up to lap Altamount in a Big Lebowski-themed Grand Torino. According to the requisite press release, Tata will be fielding an EV for the two-passenger, 200-mile range "Alternative" class, and a "Dominant" (serial?) Electric Hybrid in the four-wheel, four-passenger, 200-mile range "Mainstream" class. To win either category, Tata's entries must achieve a minimum 100 mpg, finish the race in first place, and meet numerous other requirements. Sure, as the only major automaker (thus far) to enter the competition, Tata may have a technological leg up on some of its rag-tag competitors. But, as the only team competing with a "win on Sunday, sell on Monday"  strategy, Tata also has the most to lose.  

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Mercedes-Benz Mansory Renovatio SLR

The SLR McLaren, the beastly exoticar from Mercedes, just got beastlierMansory, the expensive, high-end, exoticar modifier, is responsible.This is Mansory’s newest project, and perhaps the ultimate modified Mercedes.And don’t be thinking that it’s just another Brabus-type aftermarket package, ’cause this is beyond anything Brabus, or anyone else, could have ever done.Its debut at the 2008 [...]

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2008 Toyota Prius Review

To my eyes, the Toyota Prius looks like an Area 51 reject: an ungainly sci fi fantasy devoid of charm or beauty. To its admirers’ eyes, the Prius is the latter day equivalent of a Model T or a VW Bug: an automobile whose virtues-- and virtuousness-- transcend the normal dictates of style. And THEN there’s the debate about propulsion, premiums and politics. It’s hard to think of another car that’s been this polarizing-- for both manufacturer (Maximum Bob) and the end user (a.k.a. car buyer). And yet, just as sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, sometimes a car is just a car. Ah, but is the Prius a good car?

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2009 Ford Flex: First Look and Crawl Around

I just got my first close-up look a the 2009 Ford Flex. One of Ford's able-bodied reprsentatives brought it by the office, showed us all the major features and then let us crawl in, through and around it. We didn't get to actually drive it, but we do have a First Drive coming in a few weeks.

I'm impressed with this car for several reasons. First, I like the square profile. We all know that everything comes in cycles, and I'm more than over the "SUV-with-curves" style dominating the current crossover segment. Have I mentioned how many times I've had the keys to our long-term Enclave or CX-9 or Veracruz and walked up to the wrong car in the parking garage? I'm not trying to make a joke -- this has really happened, several times. Between the similar colors and shapes it's genuinely hard to tell them apart from more than 20 feet. If nothing else, the Ford Flex will not look like every other $30K crossover.

Second, it's got impressive interior packaging. The second-row seats literally flip and fold forward at the touch of a button (not sure that feature will be on base models...) and the third-row seat is fully functional for full-sized adults. This car also had the latest version of SYNC combined with a voice-activated navigation system. It was easy to do everything from order up a song-list on an iPod to input a street address using only my voice (and the "voice" button on the steering wheel). 

The overall look and feel of the interior was impressive as well. There were also soft-touch inserts along the door panels where your hand or arm is likey to contact them, and while much of the dash (and the bulk of the door panels) were hard plastic the plastic had a rich texture that made it look premium. The seat leather looked and felt premium, and the multiple clear roof panels had a Nissan "skyview" effect on the cabin.

Many of the other editors, after seeing the Flex in person, felt it looked better than it did in pictures. I would concur, and suggest people who aren't sure about the styliing hold judgement until they see it in the steel. It will have the Edge's drivetrain, so power shouldn't be an issue (let's hope it loses the slow-to-downshift six-speed tranny).

My only complaint thus far? No telescoping steering wheel. That seems like an oversight in a segment this competitive.

We'll know more in the next month between our upcoming Ford Flex First Drive and getting seat time in a test car. But Ford needs new product like Lindsay needs an image makeover, and it's nice to see it finally showing up.

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