It’s Friday!

It’s Friday afternoon at LotPro.com and that can mean only one thing: it’s time to mention two events in the automotive world that would normally be relegated to the footnotes of history.

Kroming up the Rogue

The first of these is Nissan’s introduction of a new trim level to its Rogue model, the Krom edition. Truth be told, this isn’t Nissan’s first foray into the realm of  Krom. That distinction belongs to the top of the heap Nissan Cube Krom which was introduced at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

Created for those who roll to a different drummer, the Krom fills a perceived void between the S and SL variants where the Krom eschews the high-tech gadgetry of the SL while favoring the “in your face” style of a DUB makeover.

Upgrades from the base S include 17” polished alloy wheels sporting P225/60R Continental Conti 4×4 Contact skins. Unique front and rear fascias house an aggressive double bar grille and oversize lower air intake and a center-exit exhaust, respectively. A body-colored rear spoiler and power outside mirrors, rear privacy glass a “Krom” (undoubtedly, chrome) emblem and steering wheel-mounted audio controls complete the package.

Don’t-mess-with-me colors are limited to Venom Red, Wicked Black and Gotham Gray (and we thought Batman was only partial to black).

You’ll get a charge out of this one

At the opposite end of the aggression scale is the too-cute Mitsubishi i-MiEV which this week garnered Japan Automotive Hall of Fame’s “Car Technology of the Year” award for its “MiEV OS” vehicle control system. Yes, that’s right – vehicles have advanced to the point where they’re give awards for their operating systems.

According to the Hall of Fame, the award was given to this particular operating system for the following reasons:

1. Integrated control technology for a mass-produced electric vehicle
2. 3-way charging system for the lithium-ion drive battery
3. Development of the compact, lightweight, and high-efficiency motor
4. Microsoft didn’t design it, so the vehicle is less likely to “crash”

Just kidding about the last one (hey, it’s Friday).

To premiere at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show

Mazda Motors recently let spill only a few vague specifications concerning its newest concept car which is to be unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show that begins on September 15th.

What it is

Mazda calls it the Mazda MX-5 Superlight version – meaning that it could be best described as a sort of MX-5 “speedster” or “club racer” that has had all the unneeded bits and pieces stripped out (including the windshield) to make the most of whatever engine is placed under the hood (no word yet on what that might be).

Taking what the company calls “the lightweight technology that Mazda is famous for to a new level”, the focus of the Superlight will be “improving driving performance, handling, fuel economy and CO2 emissions.”

What it isn’t

The Superlight is not, and certainly appears as though it is never destined to be, a production MX-5. Created at Mazda’s design center in Oberusel, Germany, just outside Frankfurt, the Superlight is, if nothing else, a celebration commemorating 20 years of the MX-5 (the roadster was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show on February 10th of that year and appeared in dealer showrooms in the U.S. in July).

The details

The details, unfortunately, are scarce. In addition to the missing windshield, the few images supplied by Mazda also show the lack of door handles. What the pictures don’t show, other than the engine, is the technology behind the “Superlight” moniker, or any of the attendant suspension and performance systems.

Images courtesy of Mazda USA

Hybrid lift truck

Here at LotPro.com, we thought that production vehicles that never remotely match their concept counterparts were the exclusive domain of the automobile industry. It turns out that we were wrong. A case in point is, believe it or not, the lift truck industry and the culprit is familiar to anyone who has ever attended an auto show.

Today, Toyota Industries Corporation unveiled what it calls “the world’s first internal combustion hybrid truck.” According to TICO, “the ground-breaking ‘GENEO-HYBRID’ 8,000 lb. counterbalanced lift truck combines a 2.5-liter diesel engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50%.

“Toyota has been a leader in hybrid development for years with the very popular Prius vehicle,” said Brett Wood, president of TMHU (Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A., Inc.). “We are excited to see hybrid technology entering the mainstream of material handling. This is a huge step forward for our industry.”

According to Toyota, their latest hybrid combines a Series Hybrid System for driving as well as a Parallel Hybrid System for load handling and will be launched in the Japanese market first (they always get the good stuff before we do).

Not like the concept

So far, so good – except if you had the chance to view the Concept Hybrid Lift Truck at this year’s Chicago Show – the ProMat 2009 show, that is, not the more familiar Chicago Auto Show.

Because on January 12th of this year, Toyota unveiled a real gee-whiz concept vehicle at the show that could’ve blown away the whole industry had they just had the nerve to build it.

If only.

First came kayaks, dogs and diapers

Last February, Ford Motor Company unveiled the Transit Connect at the Chicago Auto Show by demonstrating how versatile it could be. It did this by teaming up with a number of Chicago-area businesses (everything from a wine shop to a jazz group) and customized the vehicle to meet the needs of each business.

At the time, LotPro.com praised the company for finally bringing a European truck over here to help deal with urban congestion. Imagine, if you will, a van that features up to 143 cubic feet of cargo capacity using a vehicle that is 2 inches wider, 20 inches taller, 7 inches longer in wheelbase and 10 inches shorter, overall, than a Fusion sedan. In fact, if it weren’t for the large outside rearview mirrors, the Transit would actually be 2 inches narrower than the Fusion!

To mark the official introduction at this year’s Chicago show, Ford did some further customizing for five more business (kayak rentals, CPR instruction, maid service, assistance dogs and a baby proofing company). And while all of their previous customizations have shown the commercial versatility of the vehicle, there was nothing that demonstrated how it might appeal to families – until now.

Now, all three

The latest concept version of the Transit Connect, called the Transit Connect Family One, is both more family-friendly and much more of a concept vehicle than any that have come before it, as Ford strives to include the words “family” and “fun” in the Transit’s lexicon. Now, in addition to hauling kayaks, electrical supplies and cases of wine, the TC has become a hauler of families – albeit it “young” families.

How do we know Ford is targeting families with small children, you may ask? How about sunshade screens that double as digital media screens, water-pen friendly inner door panels and built-in hand-sanitizer and sunscreen dispensers? Likewise the built-in chargers for walkie-talkie radios, the twin cargo door-mounted scooters and a built-in folding stroller beneath the rear floor point to, shall we say, a less mature audience. The seat covers are also removable and washable (no need to elaborate here).

A van for all reasons

As part of its push to make the Transit Connect more than just a commercial vehicle, the product team behind the Family One concept arranged a display of five family-friendly people mover vehicles from Ford outside the Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Guest respondents – representing 200 participating families – were invited to experience the display vehicles and were questioned regarding their individual preferences and asked to describe the type of person they envisioned as a driver of each vehicle.

“Transit Connect is a versatile vehicle that can be adapted to a wide variety of applications,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “The Family One concept delivers fun with function. This fun, cool space is for parents and small children alike, combining fuel efficiency with advanced technologies that can help keep families connected on the go.”

Keeping track of everything

No concept vehicle would be complete without the requisite “gee whiz” high-tech goodies and the Family One doesn’t disappoint. Using a concept borrowed from Ford’s real-life Work Solutions™ technologies, an in-dash computer with radio frequency identification (RFID), similar to that used by shipping companies to track packages, is used to keep track of everything from band instruments to homework folders.

By tagging these items with RFID tags, the computer, using “predictive algorithms” based on learning from past usage, will be able to remind parents of scheduled events as well as the equipment required for them and will notify the driver if the requisite musical instrument or math book is not on board (not to mention kayaks, dogs and diapers).

The Bottom Line

While the Family One may be too small for many families, 135 cubic feet of storage space (smaller because of the rear seats) in such a compact package would certainly appeal to those with one or two small children. Certainly the ability to tag and track all your “stuff” as well as washable seat covers, alone, is worth the price of admission.

SHO me the performance

Originally introduced in 1989, the first generation Taurus SHO was the perfect stealth vehicle. Most performance cars at the time – especially those from the domestic manufacturers – featured everything from domed hoods to side body cladding and rear spoilers, not to mention badges, badges and more badges wherever you looked. The SHO, on the other hand, took the European approach. Exterior changes over the standard Taurus included different bumpers, restrained side cladding and fog lamps.

 The big difference was hidden away under the hood where Ford engineers had placed a 3.0 liter 220 horsepower Yamaha V-6 that pulled the D186 platform from 0 to 60 in roughly 6.8 seconds and possessed a top speed of about 143 mph.

Ford went on to produce the SHO for the next 10 years that covered the first three generations of the Taurus. The final version, for the 1999 model year, came equipped with a 3.4 liter V-8 compromised of a Cosworth engine block and Yamaha heads. This engine produced 234 hp and 230 lb.-ft. of torque. But with sales of just over 3,000 units that year (over 15,000 were sold the first year and more than 100,000 were sold, in total), Ford pulled the plug.

It’s Baaaack!

For 2010, the SHO returns. This time around, it features an engine even a tree-hugger could come to love as well as all the latest technology from the blue oval to wit:

•    The 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged, direct-injection EcoBoost engine delivers an estimated 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm without compromising the fuel economy expected from a V-6
•    An enhanced six-speed automatic transmission that provides conventional automatic operation with steering wheel mounted control paddles for manual mode that allow “match-rev” downshifts and will hold manually selected gears for precise control
•    A sophisticated torque-sensing all-wheel drive system that contains an array of internal electromechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque to the wheels with optimum traction
•    A fully-independent front strut/rear multi-link suspension system with standard stability control

Subtle design cues are also part of the package. Painted wheels with either 19-inch Goodyear Eagle or optional 20-inch Michelin high-performance tires, a decklid-mounted rear spoiler and twin exhaust tips plus a special grill treatment and parking lamps separate the SHO from standard Tauri, while special leather seats, aluminum appliqués and aluminum-trimmed accelerator and brake pedals differentiate the SHO interior.

Everybody joins the party

For the many car buffs out there that had their suspicions, as we did here at LotPro.com, that the 2007 movie Transformers was a thinly disguised two and a half hour commercial for General Motors, you have been vindicated.

Today’s Chicago Auto Show unveiling at the GM exhibit affixed a 17-foot-tall, 13-foot-wide exclamation point to the General’s involvement in the Transformers franchise.

The stars all wear bowties

And while the life-sized (if you can call it that) robot Bumblebee was the largest quasi-vehicle to grace the exhibit; it was by no means the star or the focal point. That, my friends, belonged to “Sideswipe”, perhaps the most stunning Corvette concept since the ’59 Stingray Racer.

Officially know as the Corvette Vision Concept, the latest Stingray concept has design elements from a number of classic Corvettes – ranging from the SS models of the fifties to the ’63 split window coupe. Soon to be a star on the big screen in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Sideswipe is far from the only Chevy to grace the celluloid stage as he (it?) will be joined by “Skids” and “Mudflap”, a pair of Chevy Beats, as well as “Jolt” – an Autobot based on the upcoming Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle.

Connect with Connect

All right, we know it’s probably just a shameless marketing ploy on the part of Ford, but the results are pretty cool. Besides, when those of us here at LotPro.com first saw the Transit Connect van at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, we were impressed with its size, functionality and gas mileage.

To help promote the new compact van, Ford came up with the “Connect with Connect” contest. Almost 1,000 small business owners from around the U.S. answered questions on how they envisioned the van could be used to help them improve their day-to-day operations as well as any limitations of their current vehicles. After sifting through this information, Ford picked 5 small-business owners who will receive their new customized vans at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

And the winners are…

It’s a dogs life

Circle Tail, Inc., Pleasant Plain, Ohio
Founded in 1997 by Marlys Staley, Circle Tail is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance dogs to people with mobility, hearing, neurological and psychiatric disabilities – at no cost to the individual. Jen Kiblinger, the company vice-president, spends much of her time transporting canines in airline-type containers, as well as the myriad leashes, toys and dog food that accompany them. “The less money that goes to gas, the more that literally goes to the dogs,” Kiblinger wrote in her essay.

Old Man River

Ten Mile Creek Kayak, Frisco, Colorado
Matthew Wade, owner of Ten Mile Creek Kayak, only found out about the contest on the last day. Having started the business only last May, offers outdoor enthusiasts all they need to get on the water. According to Matt, “My van isn’t designed to carry passengers and cargo and I’m not about to take chances and play ‘what if.’ This way I can transport all the gear and the customers safely.”

Cleaning Up

The Maid Pros, Woodbury, New York
Omar Herrera is the owner of a start-up business that specializes in cleaning residential homes. For Herrera, winning the contest meant that he was that much closer to fulfilling his plans for expanding the business. “I’m using my own vehicle now, and it’s my only source of getting around,” Herrera said. “I have to fit in all my cleaning solutions, all my tools, and then I have to unload it every night. I wanted a van, but not too big of a van – the Transit Connect is perfect.”

That’s My Baby

Boo Boo Busters, Ladera Ranch, California
Kimberlee Mitchell, owner of Boo Boo busters is on a crusade to make the world safe for babies – one house at a time. “Since I founded Boo Boo Busters in 2002, we’ve baby proofed hundreds of thousands of homes in L.A., Orange and San Diego counties,” she said. For Kimberlee, the Transit Connect will serve as a mobile warehouse with everything from safety gates to Plexiglas sheets.

A Company with Heart

Dummies on the Run, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jerry Buffman is the owner of Dummies on the Run, an Ann Arbor Michigan-based company that specializes in CPR training. Most of my classes are about 20 students, so I’m packing 20 dummies right there. And if I’m teaching infant CPR, that’s two dummies – an infant and adult – per person. I walk in that room with so many bags hanging off me I look like a pack horse. But that’s OK.”

Vans Unveiled in Chicago

As we stated earlier, all five customized Transit Connect vans will be unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, so stay tuned for a full report with pictures.

2009 Nissan Cube

Even Detroit’s auto show can’t catch a break

Things are tough in Detroit – no question about it. Just ask the organizers of the North American International Auto Show. Porsche, a brand that wasn’t there last year, made the decision to skip the show again this year. Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari felt the Detroit market was too small for their brands and backed out and both Mitsubishi and Suzuki took a pass as well. Then just last week, Nissan (along with premium brand Infiniti) announced that it was pulling the plug on both Detroit and Chicago.

At least with Nissan, the NAIAS had the consolation of knowing that it was not alone. But just as quickly, it now appears that Nissan will return to the Windy City.

2009 Nissan 370Z

Back in the game

Nissan Vice President of Corporate Communications, Alan Buddendeck, explained Nissan’s original position by stating that the company had already reached its intended audience at the unveiling of the 370Z roadster and the new Cube at the L.A. Auto Show in November.

So what caused the company to change its mind? According to Buddendeck:” Given the extraordinary economic and industry climate, all well-managed companies have a fiduciary responsibility to review strategies and tactics for going to market. As everyone knows, the automotive industry is facing severe and prolonged headwinds in North America and around the world. It’s a climate that demands decisions that are often difficult and even controversial.”

“At the national level, Nissan North America decided to withdraw from both the Chicago and Detroit shows. After a careful review of this decision with our North Central Region management and our Chicago dealers, we have found a way to maintain a presence at the Chicago show through our dealers, while still demonstrating the fiscal responsibility required by these challenging times. The decision outlined for Chicago does not affect our decision to withdraw from the 2009 North American International Auto Show.”

Chicago Auto Show Co-Chairman John Phelan put it this way, “To be sure, talking about our current economic conditions isn’t going to turn our industry around. But showing and talking about great new products, technology and breaking automotive news will help turn it around—and we want to help.”

BYD F3R

Chinese go upstairs and join the party

Meanwhile, back in Motown, all that extra floor space means it has to be filled by someone. So after two years spent in the basement as the red-headed stepchild, the Chinese automakers (so far, BYD and Brilliant) finally get their chance to join in the big dance on the main floor. Who knows, if anyone else drops out, even the boys from DUB magazine may get their big break. This could get interesting.

How about a DUB Rolls-Royce?

An electric-friendly environment and $5.49 gas

If Detroit is the center of the automotive universe here in the U.S., then that would make Beaver Island one of the furthest points from it – both from a geographical as well as a philosophical point of view. Detroit is home to the major American auto manufacturers, a school system that is currently $400 million in the red and an international airport. Beaver Island has one school with 78 students and an airport that averages 25 flights per day. Even those of us living in Michigan would have an easier time finding Waldo than locating Beaver Island on a map.

But the residents of this small island have 2 things (3 if you count a solvent school system) that Detroiters don’t have – spectacular views of Lake Michigan, and a car show devoted exclusively to electric cars. These aren’t the dream cars and concept vehicles like those shown at the Detroit Auto Show, but actual vehicles that are available on the market today. Most of them are designed for urban areas and retirement communities – a rush hour foray on Detroit’s I-696 would be near suicide.

Due to its size (about the size of the San Francisco peninsula), Beaver Island is the perfect place for this kind of transportation. Most of these cars have a 25 mile range (convenience charging can extend that range up to 40 miles), making them ideal for everyday use. The island currently (no pun intended) has six free charging stations with the ultimate goal of having at least twice that number located around the perimeter of the island. “Free” might also be an additional incentive for purchasing an EV (Electric Vehicle), since gas is shipped by barge to the island and is currently selling for $5.49 a gallon.

The auto show cars, 13 by the most recent count, will also be arriving by ferry. According to event organizer Dan Wardlow, “It’ll be quite a spectacle to see all those EVs come off the boat at once. We’re hoping to show Islanders that a variety of EVs are available right now, and that they present viable and clean transportation alternatives for our community,” he added. “It will be a great opportunity to see a wide variety of cars and trucks without even leaving the Island.”

Auto Show Vehicles

If you happen to make your way up to Beaver Island for the show, here’s a preview of the vehicles you’ll be seeing:

ZAP Xebra

The Xebra, available with a striped paint scheme, is powered by lead acid batteries. The 4-seat, 3-wheeler has a 40 mph top speed, a 25 mile range and has a starting price of $11,700.

ZENN (Zero Emissions No Noise)

The Zenn is a 2 passenger vehicle produced in Canada. With a base price of $15,995, it comes standard with such niceties as a fully independent suspension, rack and pinion steering 4-wheel disc brakes and 13” alloy wheels. Options include an electrically-operated cloth sunroof, air conditioning, a radio with mp3 connector and floor mats. Fully loaded, the Zenn tops out at an even $21K.

GEM (Global Electric Motors)

Although owned by Chrysler, you’re not going to confuse an e2, e4, or e6 for a Challenger. If anything, it looks like a really fancy golf cart. No stranger to auto shows, the GEM was on display at the NAIAS in Detroit, as well as the Chicago Auto Show. GEM pricing starts at $6,795 for a base e2 (2-seater), with base pricing for the e4 4-seater and e6 6-seater starting at $9,695 and $12,495, respectively.

Vantage VanGo

Although Vantage Vehicle International has been in business for over 11 years, it has only been 4 months since the Corona, California company introduced their line of electric vehicles. The VanGo (with apologies to Vincent) is undoubtedly the most versatile of any of the vehicles at the show. Available in 80 and 98-inch wheelbase versions, power is furnished by no less than 12 lead-acid batteries. This gives the passenger van a range of 55-60 miles on a charge. Maximum speed is 25mph and all models feature front disc/rear drum brakes, rack & pinion steering and a front strut/rear leaf spring suspension.

FYI

In 1848 James Strang and his Mormon followers broke away from those led by Brigham Young (Strang claimed that he was the rightful heir to founder Joseph Smith) and settled on Beaver Island. He had himself crowned King and, shortly thereafter, began taking additional wives. He was assassinated by two of his followers in 1856. Not long after that, his followers were driven off Beaver Island by a mob from neighboring Mackinac Island.

2009 Dodge Journey

Dodge has been conspicuously absent from the crossover segment (the Pacifica was a Chrysler-only vehicle). The Journey, based on the Avenger/Sebring platform with a stretched wheelbase, is only 2 inches longer than the Avenger, but seats up to 7 passengers. With a starting price of just under $20,000, standard safety features include, front, side and curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, ESP stability control and Electronic Roll Mitigation.

In addition to the usual cupholder/door storage bins, the Journey also features floor storage and front under-seat bins. A double glove box features an upper box for “chillin” (it’s refrigerated) and a lower box that contains an iPod connection.

2009 Hyundai Sonata

Introduced at the Chicago Auto Show back in February, the updated Sonata features new front and rear fascias incorporating new headlights, taillights and fog lights have changed the look in a very subtle way. On the inside, small changes have been made to the instrument panel and console, while USB and iPod ports are now standard and a navigation system has been added as an option.

The biggest changes have been to the engine and suspension with horsepower, torque and fuel economy improvements in both the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder and 3.3 liter 6 cylinder engines. Suspension dynamics have been re-tuned for enhanced handling in the GLS and Limited models, while the SE gets even firmer sport tuning.