Ford Fusion is Part of Ford's Good Vibes

There’s been plenty of good news for Ford Motor Company despite the horrible auto market. Not only did the company manage to avoid bankruptcy and government bailout money, but the company has some great cars to sell. The Fusion is one of them.

The midsized Fusion sedan, introduced in 2006, competes directly with the enormously popular Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. American products have struggled in this contest historically, but for 2010, Ford focused on improving any areas that will enhance the Fusion’s status with car buyers.

First of all, they burnished curb appeal with a carefully orchestrated restyle. The changes include a domed hood, more dramatic headlamps and a grander version of the chrome three-bar look offered in the first release of the car. The rear features more elaborately rendered taillamps and detailing, which is part of an overall car industry trend.

Drivers actually spend the bulk of their time behind the wheel, and here Ford paid attention and applied worthwhile upgrades. The dash features padded panels in place of hard plastic and the wheel wears a soft leather cover. The gauges are upgraded to a jewel-like quality with bright “ice blue” lighting. The instrument panel welcomes you with a little sequence that includes sweeping needles and a friendly greeting.

The seats, often a weak spot in American vehicles, have been recontoured, with more side support. The armrests are nicely padded. The shifter is redesigned. It’s a long list of upgrades.
Quiet has been a selling point of luxury cars for decades, and the engineers also attacked this area in the 2010 Fusion. An acoustic windshield, thicker door glass, and revised insulation in the hood, dash, trunk and headliner, along with better body and door sealing, make the Fusion whisper quiet. That improves the perception of quality and also makes for more relaxed freeway cruising.

The Fusion comes in several levels, from the entry S to the well-equipped SEL. It also offers a Sport version and a new Hybrid model. My test car was a Sterling Gray Metallic SEL.
The S, SE and SEL come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 175 horsepower—an improvement over last year’s 160-horsepower 2.3-liter four. My tester was upgraded to the 3.0-liter Duratec V6, with 240 horsepower. That’s enough to make the 3.400-pound car a strong competitor with the V6 Camry/Accord—on regular gas.

The Sport model uses a 3.5-liter V6 that puts out 265 horsepower. That places the Fusion into competition with a wider range of cars, and could even tempt buyers of more upscale vehicles who have an open mind about the badge on their trunk lid.

The four-cylinder engine, which comes with a manual six-speed in the S model, earns a respectable 23 City, 34 Highway with the six-speed automatic (slightly better than with the manual!). The V6 is rated at 18 /27, with automatic only. I averaged 22.7 mpg.

The EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide gives the four-cylinder a 7 for both Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution scores. The V6 drops to a 7 and a 5.

The Fusion proved to be a good driver in town and for commuting. Engineers made numerous improvements in the 2010 model’s steering, handling and brake pedal feel. I felt engaged with the car. The electric power steering had a good heft to it and assistance varied depending on speed, so parking lot maneuvering felt different from freeway cruising.

The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone on either side of your car and illuminates a light on the corresponding side-view mirror; it makes an audible alert too. The system also can provide extra confidence to drivers in parking lots by alerting them sooner of nearby traffic while backing out.

I had a few minor issues with the interior. The textures of the hard and soft plastics were not perfectly matched. The console is home to many buttons, which despite their attractive new look were sometimes a long reach, which forced me to take my eyes off the road to make climate control and seat heater selections. The highly regarded SYNC system had trouble connecting to my iPod. And an electronic voice periodically interrupted my enjoyment of the Sirius satellite radio to ask if I wanted a Vehicle Health Report.

Prices start at $19,995 for the S with manual transmission and no extras. The likely volume-selling SEL starts at $24,700. My SEL, with V6 and a package full of goodies, including audio upgrade, moonroof and the BLIS system came to $28,105.

Motor Trend named the Fusion as its 2010 Car of the Year. Sales are up. In a stormy time, it’s a ray of sunshine. And Ford has more coming soon.

Ten Reasons Why I Love the Nissan Cube

For some people, boxy is cool. The Scion Xb introduced Americans to this phenomenon six years ago, and today you have a choice. But the Nissan Cube, recently brought to the U.S. after a popular run in Japan, is something special. Here are ten reasons I love it.

1. It’s cute – The Cube is filled with amusing styling quirks, most notable the asymmetrical rear windows – pillar on the left, glass on the right. Inside, there’s a ripple motif on the ceiling and speaker vents, and outside, on the rear window pillars. There’s a whimsical (optional) circle of shag carpet on the dash. The sill plates light up with block “C U B E” letters in blue. The seat upholstery and carpets wear a wave pattern that, combined with the curved dash indent on the passenger side, give the pleasant sensation of sitting in a Jacuzzi.

2. It’s economical - I averaged 28.2 mpg in mixed driving – great for a nonhybrid. The EPA rates it 28 mpg City, 30 mpg Highway. A surprisingly peppy 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine puts out 122 horsepower and 127 lb.-ft. of torque. My tester’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) outscored the five-speed manual, which rates 24 City/29 Highway. CVTs use bands rather than gears, so they are always in the torque sweet spot.

3. It’s green – The EPA Green Vehicle Guide gives the Cube a Smartway designation, reflecting its scores of 6 for Air Pollution and 8 for Greenhouse Gas with the CVT. The manual transmission version not only gets lower fuel economy scores, but drops to 6/7 on the Green scores. Manual transmissions may no longer be the best way to go for vehicles that aren’t out-and-out sports cars.

4. It’s inexpensive – Prices start at $14,710 for the base 1.8 model, including shipping. Even this car offers air conditioning, power windows and locks, an AM/FM/CD system and antilock brakes. Moving up to the 1.8 S ($15,410) brings cruise control and premium seat fabric, map lights, chrome inside door handles, steering wheel-mounted controls and body-color outside mirrors. The 1.8 SL ($17,510), like my Caribbean Blue test car, has the CVT transmission, automatic climate control, 16-inch alloy wheels and upgraded audio, among other things. The Krom model ($20,090) goes blingy with special wheels and body add-ons.

5. It carries my stuff – Drop the back seats and the upright bass slides in. I stashed my electric bass and amps under the soft fabric cargo cover, which attaches to the rear seats with Velcro. The rear hatch is hinged on the left and opens like a giant refrigerator door, which reminds me –the Cube’s cargo area holds lots of groceries too.

6. It’s roomy for folks – The back seat slides back for people, forward for added cargo. The split seatbacks recline individually and are nicely supportive. The light gray interior felt airy and open.

7. There’s enormous headroom – The Cube’s shape means a very different motoring experience. The upright windshield is way in front and curves back, giving the feel of a sensually styled delivery van. Big side windows eliminate claustrophobia. Wear your favorite Stetson! One minor issue – the deep sunvisors work great up front but cover only half of the side windows.

8. It’s apparently well made – Considering the price point, the plastics and cloth feel substantial and look well assembled. I heard one plastic squeak in the dash somewhere, but it was only more noticeable because of the hushed sound as you drive the Cube. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, part of the SL Preferred Package ($1,600) conveyed an upscale flavor.

9. It’s fun to drive – The car feels perky in town and stays stable in the corners, thanks in part to an independent suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars. The CVT delivers maximum torque in all situations so you don’t sense the car shifting gears—just steady power. Freeways at 70 mph are no sweat. The outward visibility and upright seating position impart a feeling of control.

10. It’s got a nice sound system – Even the base car has one, and depending on model, it may include steering wheel controls, speaker upgrades with a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer in the tailgate and a USB port for your iPod. My test car was so quiet on the freeway that I got to enjoy my CDs, plugged-in iPod, broadcast AM/FM and Sirius XM satellite radio on my routine commute.

That’s the top ten. Another consideration is safety—the Cube offers the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System, with front, side and roof-mounted curtain airbags. A Traction Control System and Vehicle Dynamic Control are standard, and security and immobilizer systems keep it safe from theft.

The Cube won Design of the Year from Automobile magazine (January 2010 issue). So it’s not just me who’s smitten.

A Tale of Two MINIs

What could be better than time with a sporty, fuel efficient MINI? A week with two MINIs! I recently tested the new-for-2009 Cooper Convertible and revisited the Cooper Hardtop as well.

The first new MINI convertible debuted for 2005 and sold 179,000 copies before the 2009 model arrived. In the interim, the Hardtop was redone for 2007, and although it looked similar, much was changed inside and out. A new engine found its way under the stubby hood. The Clubman extended-wheelbase model debuted for 2008.

For 2009, the Convertible finally joins the Coupe and Clubman on the revised platform. That means it gets the more upright nose, with additional crush space for pedestrian safety—a nod to European laws. The taillamps are wider, too. Significantly, the new droptop now has the updated interior, with the eight-inch-wide speedometer at dash center, the overstuffed-looking controls, and more substantial look.

While the previous generation featured permanently fixed roll bars behind the seats, the new version hides a one-piece roll bar below. It pops up only if sensors detect the car’s about to tip over. This is unlikely—the MINI Convertible gets five stars in the U.S. Government Rollover test. The hidden roll bar makes for a cleaner profile, a more expansive view, and opens up additional storage space.

The rear seats fold individually, permitting more cargo carrying capacity than before. Granted, it’s a lot less than the Hardtop, but you can put small suitcases and your grocery items in there without a problem when you drop the tiny tailgate.

MINIs use a French 1.6-liter inline four. With dual overhead camshafts and full variable valve management, in standard trim it puts out 118 horsepower, good for 0 – 60 acceleration of 9.8 seconds in the Convertible. The S model, with twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection, drops that time to 7.4 seconds. The John Cooper Works versions are even quicker.

Fuel economy isn’t usually associated with sports cars, but the MINI Convertible is rated at 25 City and 34 Highway. I averaged 26.8 mpg. The EPA Green Vehicle Guide gives the car an Air Pollution score of 7 and Greenhouse Gas score of 8—fine numbers.

The Convertible is easy to open. The electrohydraulic mechanism raises or lowers the durable cloth top in just 15 seconds with the touch of a button. You can do it at up to 20 miles per hour, too. The front section pulls back electrically like a sunroof, offering a unique opportunity for semi-open-air motoring.

Typical of MINI’s sense of humor, left of the column-mounted tachometer is the “openometer,” which measures the time that the roof is open. This amusing gadget records up to seven hours of it with its needle and lights.

My Horizon Blue Metallic Convertible, with Hot Chocolate brown top, is a perfect example of how you can upgrade a MINI to suit your tastes. Starting at a base price of $23,900, the grand total, with destination charges, came to $32,050. The Leather Lounge Hot Chocolate interior added $2,000. The Cold Weather Package ($500) heated the seats and the mirrors and washer jets too. The Premium Package ($1,250) chromed the interior and exterior trim, upgraded to full climate control, and more.

The STEPTRONIC automatic transmission ($1,250) provided paddles on the wheel for quick shifts. It’s certainly a fun way to have the convenience of an automatic with the control of a manual.

Further options, at $500 apiece, included Dynamic Traction Control, which uses the car’s computer system to keep you safely on the road, and Park Distance Control, which protects your car while backing up. It’s handy because the folded top blocks the lower part of your rear view.

In contrast, the Nightfire Red MINI Hardtop I drove later in the week was close to the basic, sweet car. Its few options included $500 for the metallic paint, $750 for an upgrade to 16-inch alloy wheels, and a few more bucks for heated sport seats, a multi-function steering wheel, and black bonnet stripes.

Thanks to lighter weight than the convertible and a six-speed manual, the Hardtop earned a stellar 32.1 mpg. I had loads of fun driving it and used the greater carrying capacity. The price, including everything, came to $21,550, $10,500 less than the Convertible. MINIs start at $18,550.

MINI recently commemorated two milestones. The first was a celebration of 50 years since the brand debuted on May 8, 1959. 5.3 million original, tiny Minis were sold and enjoyed worldwide.The second event occurred a month later, when a Chili Red 2009 MINI Clubman rolled off the Oxford assembly line, marking 1.5 million new MINIs since production began in 2001. That same plant produced the original Mini in 1959.

Honda Fit is Perfect for Today

Right in the middle of Consumer Reports’ Cash for Clunkers recommended car list sits the Honda Fit. The smallest Honda offered in the U.S., it may be the ideal car for a world of constrained resources and uncertain employment.

New for 2009, the Fit follows the same formula as its predecessor: Small on the outside, large on the inside. Taking up a surprisingly small piece of driveway, my Milano Red test car made short work of everything from passengers to groceries to string basses. The “Magic” split rear seat flips down to create 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Or, pull up the lower cushion and have a car-wide space behind the front seats.

It’s the Fit’s pod shape that makes it so impressive. The car looks a bit like a giant pumpkin or a sharp-edged ball. The windshield tapers down almost to the nose—there’s hardly any hood. Generous windows in the front pillars enhance visibility. The side window line rises up dramatically, ending in a chopped-off hatch. This car is much larger and more usable than the original Honda Civic hatches that debuted in the early 1970s.

Despite its role as the entry-level Honda, the Fit is not just basic transportation. Air conditioning and power windows, locks and mirrors are standard. Current and average fuel economy information displays appear on the dash. A 160-watt four-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with AUX plug is there too. They’ve even added a passenger visor vanity mirror, which was noticeably lacking in the previous-generation model I tested two years ago.

If you want more features, order the Sport model. It flaunts more than a dozen upgrades. Inside, you get remote entry and security system, leather wrapped steering wheel with illuminated controls, map lights, cruise control, and two extra speakers for the audio system. Outside, “sportiness” comes with an underbody kit, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome headlight bezels and exhaust tips and a rear roof spoiler.

Both standard and Sport use an upgraded 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels. Horsepower jumps from 109 in the old model to 117 today, with 106 lb.-ft. of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but you can order a five-speed automatic.
Even with the automatic, my test car felt perky and delivered 33.4 miles per gallon. EPA figures are 27 City, 33 Highway; Green Vehicle numbers are a laudable 7 for Air Pollution and 8 for Greenhouse Gas scores.

For such a small car, the Fit carries four people very comfortably. A high ceiling inside helps. The molded seats are comfortable without being especially luxurious.

The interior features Honda’s busy styling, with plenty of varying surfaces and fanciful curves. It feels substantial and the fit and finish are typical Honda excellent.

The Fit earns a five-star, top-level rating for frontal crash for driver and passenger and five stars for side crash for the front seat (four stars for rear). That’s thanks to the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. ACE also provides extra rigidity to the Fit and helps minimize the potential for under-ride or over-ride, which can occur during head-on or offset-frontal impacts with a significantly larger or smaller vehicle. Of course there are plenty of airbags—six in all.

Active safety includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and brake assist, front seat belts with automatic tensioning systems, and driver and front passenger Active Head Restraints. These features used to be available only in more expensive vehicles, but the technology has percolated down to everyone’s cars now. That’s good.

You can order Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) on the Fit Sport, and my tester had it. An electronic stability control system, VSA works with the ABS and Traction Control System (TCS) to keep you from oversteering or understeering in a turn. The system carefully brakes one or more wheels independently to help the driver keep the vehicle on the intended travel path.

It won’t cost you much to get into a Fit. Prices begin at $15,460, including destination charges. The Fit Sport jumps $1,510, and an automatic transmission will add $800 or $850 to that. My Fit Sport with a navigation system and VSA came to $19,630.

Beyond all this, with its electric rack-and-pinion steering system and firm suspension, the Fit is actually enjoyable to drive. Car magazines routinely rate it tops in its class for fun against competitors from Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and others. Especially at its price point, that means something, and you’ll be safe too. There’s even talk of a hybrid version. Watch this space for details.

Catch My Green Vehicle Posts on Gas 2.0

After a four-month lapse I'm back. I've still been writing a new car story every week. I promise to put up the best ones here. I've also started posting stories on the Gas 2.0 blog. Here are my first three, on the MINI E all-electric car, BioFuel Oasis, a full-service biodiesel station in Berkeley, and Luscious Garage in San Francisco:

http://gas2.org/2009/08/07/mini-e-pure-electric-car-preserves-the-fun/

http://gas2.org/2009/07/30/biofuel-oasis-empowering-alternative-fuel-use/

http://gas2.org/2009/08/10/a-happy-home-for-hybrid-cars/

Thanks, and I'll be back soon--I promise!

Rolls-Royce Phantom Is Amazing

Yesterday I got the chance to drive the 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase sedan. Yes, for just $516,630, you too could enjoy the supreme quiet, power, and accommodations of one of these beauties. With its mighty V12 engine moving three tons of hand-wrought steel, aluminum, leather and wood, what's not to like? The car moves along like a ship on a calm sea, but there is some tactile feel through the slender leather-wrapped steering wheel. The car is alive and eager to please.

As expected, there's a bumbershoot stored in the rear door--which is a "suicide" style, hinged at the back. Passengers can close it by pressing a button inside the car. The wool carpets are inches deep, the burl and straight grain woods divine, the chrome deep and lustrous, and the sound system--oh my.

I found myself going 100 miles per hour on the freeway with no effort and little awareness that I was speeding! Sorry, officer--I need to test this car.

Rolls-Royce representatives mentioned the mileage -- 11 City, 18 Highway -- which is class-leading, if that means anything to the millionaire owners.

My favorite special feature--the built-in drink cabinets in the doors, with custom glassware bearing the RR logo. Price? $15,300.

For another perspective, see the Features section at http://www.speedstylemagazine.com/.

Tested Electric Car on 56th Birthday!

Last week, I tested a Nissan all-electric prototype (see photo). Based on the soon-to-be previous generation Cube (the new ones are coming to the U.S. next month), the right-hand-drive little box drove just dandy. The real car, due late next year for fleets, will look completely different.

With a 100-mile range, the as-yet-unnamed car should serve the needs of most people for commuting and local driving, and you can charge it at home overnight. Nissan is working tirelessly to set up a charging infrastructure, concentrating on some areas first, including Sonoma County, California.

Nissan expects prices to be reasonable--in the same general range as a Prius, around mid $20's to low $30's.

Job Search
Week three of my job search, and a pattern is emerging. Top importance is who to have lunch with to break up the lonely day in front of the computer. This week, so far, is booked, but today's partner dropped out, so I'm open!

Besides checking emails, I'm working on my career assessment for a three-hour meeting at Right Management, my outplacement agency, on Friday morning. After that meeting, I'll be lunching (see the pattern) with a friend's referral--a guy at a company you know doing a job that I know. At this stage, it's all about networking.

Networking--I go on Facebook, but its awash in tests--"Who were you in a past life?" it asks. Well, it said I was Marilyn Monroe, but one problem--not only is my ex-wife ALSO Norma Jean, but MM and I were both alive from 1953 to 1962--that's definitely an issue. I believe that in my past life I was a guy with a fulltime job.

LinkedIn is another fine networking place online. I am now connected with more than 50 folks from my previous worklife. It's nice to see their names again--it brings back happy memories, for the most part. The problem is, I can't go back to my previous company now--they've got a hiring freeze, even though they are making money and are overworking their employees. It's not for me to say.

Today, I picked up poop in the back yard from my younger Boston Terrier's visits. I have a sense of accomplishment--it's almost as good as copyediting! I know that the dog didn't mean any of it personally, either.

But seriously, at times of unemployment, it's a great time to consider what you really want to do with your life. Seriously. But then I get distracted--that's the problem with searching online. But so far, in more than two weeks, I have taken only one nap!

As an optimist, I expect things to turn out fine, if not perfectly. So, if you have any leads, please let me know!