Mazda

2010 Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback

For the Detroit Show, Mazda unveiled the new hatchback design as well as bringing along the more conventional (for Mazda) sedan unveiled at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first generation Mazda3 has always been a favorite vehicle of ours here at LotPro.com. Its combination of good looks, high quality, great fuel economy and class-leading handling have made this smallest of Mazda’s sedans a favorite not only here in the U.S., but worldwide as well – accounting for almost 2 million sales and one out of every 3 Mazda’s sold since its inception.

According to Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda, “We had no intention of merely protecting the position we held. Instead, our task was to keep the target moving for our competitors by further exceeding customer expectations.  Our goal was to create a sport compact capable of advancing driving pleasure to new heights.  This is the essence of Mazda’s Sustainable Zoom-Zoom credo and what separates our company and our products from other cars and brands.”

Yoskiyuki, you did good. Based on the same architecture as the first-generation 3, the second generation boasts two completely-new body styles as well as a new interior design. Unmistakably Mazdas, the new sedan and hatchback receive styling cues from the RX-8 as well as the 2009 Mazda6 as the company moves toward a “unified family face.” A subtle wedge shape as well as sculpted hood, fender and side surfaces give both new 3’s a sophisticated, sporty flavor.

Honda

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid

Making its world debut at the Detroit Show, the 2010 Insight Hybrid is, in our opinion, one of the top 3 production vehicles unveiled at NAIAS – the other 2 being the 2010 Ford Taurus and the 2010 Toyota Prius.

Setting its sights on the Prius, the Insight promises to be the lowest-priced hybrid sold in America, undercutting Toyota’s best-seller as well as its sibling, the Civic Hybrid when it becomes available sometime in April of this year.

Powered by a 1.3 liter SOHC all-aluminum i-VTEC (variable valve timing and electronic lift control) engine mated to a continuously-variable transmission, the Insight uses Honda’s IMA (integrated motor assist) hybrid system that incorporates a 13 hp electric motor and Intelligent Power Unit. This system stores kinetic energy recaptured during braking and deceleration. It also supplies additional electric power – as needed – for acceleration. Total horsepower is 98 and fuel economy figures are 40 mpg city/43 mpg highway.

Outside, the five-door sedan receives styling cues first employed on the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle currently in use in California. Inside, Honda’s newest friend of the tree-huggers features what the company calls its “Ecological Drive Assist System.” Using multiple plant-leaf graphics, it encourages drivers to “turn over a new leaf”, as it were, by growing leaves as a reward for frugal driving behavior. In addition, the background of the upper-dash-mounted digital speedometer changes from lime green (the best) through a series of hues to deep indigo blue(the worst), depending on your driving habits.

Yes it’s a popularity contest

It’s getting on towards the end of another year, which means that those of us here at LotPro.com can report with a relative degree of accuracy those models with the largest number of searches for the year. We also know that wading through 50 different models might seem like a large pain. But look at it this way, with fifty different vehicles to pick from, there’s a good chance that at least one of them might also be on your “best” list, too.

So here, in alphabetical order, are the top 50 searches. Want to know the top 2? See if you can guess (they’re listed at the end of the article).

Chevrolet Aveo

Chevrolet

Aveo
Impala
Silverado 1500
Tahoe

Chevrolet division had 4 models in our top 50 list this year. The Aveo, from the General’s Daewoo partnership, is one of the highest-mileage vehicles in the U.S. The Impala also offers a lot of bank for the buck in addition to great fuel economy, while the Silverado and the Tahoe both made late recoveries from mid-year sales slides.

Chrysler 300

Chrysler

300-series

The lone Chrysler entry was the 300-series – one of the few domestic full-size vehicles with a sense of style.

Dodge Challenger

Dodge

Avenger
Challenger
Charger
Ram 1500
Ram 2500

Dodge hits the list with the Avenger, the new Challenger, the Charger and both the half ton and three quarter ton Ram.

Ford F-150

Ford

Escape
Explorer
F-150
F-250 Super Duty
Focus
Mustang
Ranger

Ford brand has seven vehicles on the list with both the Escape and Explorer SUV’s, the Focus and Mustang passenger vehicles as well as three trucks – the Ranger, the F-150 and the F-250 Super Duty.

Honda Fit

Honda

Accord Coupe
Accord Sedan
Civic Coupe
Civic Hybrid
Civic Sedan
CR-V
Fit
Odyssey
Pilot

Honda ties for first place in the nameplate segment with nine entries including the Accord (2 versions), Civic (3 versions), the Fit, the CR-V, the Odyssey and the Pilot.

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai

Accent
Elantra

Hyundai places with both the Accent and the Elantra sedans. While neither vehicle breaks any new ground, both represent Hyundai’s mantra of affordable transportation with excellent fuel economy.

Jeep Wrangler

Jeep

Wrangler

Jeep hits the list with the Wrangler, the Dorian Gray of sport utility vehicles.

Kia Rio

Kia

Rio

Kia’s most affordable sedan, the Rio, is also its best-selling vehicle – a big reason why it’s on the list.

Mazda Mazda3

Mazda

Mazda3
Mazda6

Both of Mazda’s “zoom-zoom” sedans made the list for 2008.

Nissan Altima

Nissan

Altima
Maxima
Murano
Rogue
Versa

Nissan placed three sedans – the Altima, Maxima and Versa – in the top 50 as well as SUV’s the Rogue and its big brother the Murano.

Scion tC

Scion

tC

By any other name a Toyota, the tC was also one of our top 50 searches.

Toyota Corolla

Toyota

Camry
Camry Hybrid
Corolla
FJ Cruiser
Prius
RAV4
Sienna
Tacoma
Yaris

Toyota ties for first in the nameplate division with 9 entries and wins the manufacturer’s category (10 including Scion) with 5 passenger cars, 2 SUV’s, 1 truck and 1 van.

And the winners are

Congratulations to the Ford F-150 which placed first overall and the Nissan Altima, which took second place.

One for the money

On Wednesday of this week, Kelley Blue Book announced that the 2009 Ford F-150 pickup truck was named by the company as the Best Redesigned Vehicle for 2009. Five years ago, the F-150 won the first award given out by Kelley and this year marks the first time, ever, for a repeat winner.

In taking the award, the F-150 beat out 9 other re-designs: the Acura TL and TSX, Audi A4, Dodge Ram, Honda Fit, Mazda6, Nissan Maxima and Murano as well as the Subaru Forester.

According to Jack Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley, “”We were so impressed with the 2009 Ford F-150, we’d go so far as to say it isn’t just a great truck, it’s a step forward for what a vehicle can be. Imagine a truck that can help you keep track of your tools and keep you aware of where your employees are, and you can see that the new F-150 brings with it world-class innovation.”

Two for the show

While Kelley was bestowing its honors in the U.S., two other events across the pond bestowed honors on the Transit Connect, a vehicle Ford unveiled at this year’s Chicago Auto Show and one we’ll see here in the middle of 2009.

On December 8th, the U.K.’s Association of Car Fleet Operators gave their top commercial vehicle award to the Transit Connect van. This marks the sixth consecutive year it has won this award.

Two days later, Britain’s leading van magazine, What Van? honored the Transit Connect with its security award for a light van, the seventh time the Ford van has received the award.

The Bottom Line

Here at LotPro.com, we know that trucks aren’t sexy. But there are two things that need to be remembered about these vehicles: historically, the F-150 has contributed greatly to Ford’s bottom line. Even in a depressed economy, sales of the new model look to keep the company afloat even as Nissan stops building trucks and Toyota struggles to break into the market.

Secondly, the Transit Connect represents Ford’s next great step: bringing the goodness of driving dynamics and space efficiency over from Europe and introducing both to the U.S. market.

A light at the end of the tunnel

It seems that most of the news, lately, concerning the 2009 North American International Auto Show (the Detroit Auto Show for many of us who have been around long enough to remember) has been, shall we say, less than exuberant. With 7 manufacturers taking a pass (including Nissan/Infiniti), organizers have had to resort to calling up the Chinese from the minors (read: the basement) in order to fill the park.

So it had to be with some sense of relief when they heard the news that Mazda would be showcasing the new Mazda3 sedan (unveiled earlier this year at the L.A. Auto Show) along with its 5-door brother that has yet to see the shores of North America, having been revealed at the Bologna Motor Show just 2 weeks ago.

New Mazda3

According to Mazda3 Program Manager Yoshiyuki Maeda, “”We were determined to advance the Zoom-Zoom driving experience to new heights because that unique feeling lies at the very heart of Mazda. On the heels of the original MAZDA3’s success, we aimed to again exceed the expectations of customers all over the world by a wide margin. This meant providing drivers with a sense of exhilaration whether they were in motion, seated in the MAZDA3’s cockpit, or enjoying its appearance from outside.”

Mission accomplished. Based on the same architecture as the first-generation 3, the second generation boasts a completely-new body and interior design. Unmistakably a Mazda, the new sedan receives styling cues from the RX-8 as well as the 2009 Mazda6 as the company moves toward a “unified family face.” A subtle wedge shape as well as sculpted hood, fender and side surfaces give the new 3 a sophisticated, sporty flavor.

To give this flavor substance, a new Adaptive Front Lighting System with self-leveling bi-xenon headlamps has been added as standard equipment on Grand Touring models – the first compact offered for sale in the U.S. with such an advanced lighting system.

Inside, front seat cushions have been extended by nearly an inch for improved thigh support while backrests are taller by almost an inch and a half and have been recontoured for improved driving posture. In another first for its segment, on vehicles equipped with power seats, a three-position memory function has been added and, on approach to the car, the left-front seat will automatically adjust to the settings chosen by up to 3 different drivers by recognizing the code of the key fob.

It’s all about the zoom-zoom

The first generation 3 was a perennial leader in its segment due to its handling and road presence and the new version promises more of the same. The base engine, with 148 hp and 135 lb.-ft. of torque is a carry-over from the previous generation. Uplevel models will benefit from Mazda’s new MZR 2.5 liter I-4 borrowed from the new 2009 Mazda6 with an output of 167 hp and maximum torque of 168 lb.-ft. Putting this power to the pavement is a 5-speed manual in the base “i” version and a 6-speed manual for the uplevel “s”. An optional 5-speed automatic is available for both trim levels.

“Nelly” Flex

Rapper Nelly got to see his customized 2009 Ford Flex for the first time on Tuesday when it was unveiled as part of Ford’s press conference. Working with Ford Designer Melvin Betancourt, they created, according to Betancourt, “a custom-color blue car with a white roof, a great sound system, 22-inch wheels, an exhaust system with a little bit of a rumble on it, and a personalized interior.”

Inside, the Flex features black Tuscany leather with Katzkin® seats and blue stitching that picks up the unique blue exterior color. In addition, Nelly’s Flex features the industry-exclusive Ford SYNC™ technology and a CIM LIIV™ wireless Internet entertainment system, which enables passengers to enjoy web surfing, online games, e-mail, downloaded movies, music and live television.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

Based on Ford’s F-150 SVT Raptor, the modified “R” version was developed by Ford Racing specifically to race in the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000. Using stock components of the F-150 SVT Raptor including the transmission, brakes and frame, the race version has more suspension travel, better approach and departure angles as well as racing specification seats, safety cage and harnesses.

2009 Troy Lee Mazda6

Featuring a custom paint job by Troy Lee Designs and body modifications by Funktion USA, this new Mazda6 features 18” Momo Strike wheels, Hoosier tires and deep-tinted windows. Performance mods include Eibach springs, cross-drilled 6-piston brakes by Wilwood Engineering and custom brake fabrication by JD Performance.

Dodge Challenger Blacktop

To a basic 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the “Mopar Underground” added custom spoilers and a black-on-black racing stripe paint scheme. Modifications include a Mopar coil-over suspension and strut tower brace. The Blacktop rolls on 22” Dodge Viper wheels from Factory Reproductions with 265/35 R22 front and 305/30 R22 rear Dunlop tires.

Performance enhancements include a cat back dual-exhaust and cold air intake while inside, the Challenger features bright red Katzkin leather seats and a Mopar Kicker audio system.

And Last but not Least…

Dodge Challenger SRT 10 Concept

Realizing that the 425 Horsepower might not be quite enough for some enthusiasts, Chrysler’s in-house performance organization, Street and Racing Technology, put together what has to be the ultimate Challenger.

Power for the SRT 10 comes from the Dodge Viper 8.4 liter V-10 engine with 600 horsepower and 560 lb. ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission with Dodge Viper gear ratios. A single-piece 4” steel drive shaft connects the transmission to an aluminum differential with torque-sensing limited-slip.

Bringing all this power to a halt are silver-painted Brembo fixed calipers that feature six pistons in front and four pistons in back that clamp down on 2-piece 390mm vented rotors in front and 355mm vented rotors in the rear. Wheels are fully-forged Alcoa aluminum (20×9 front, 20×10 rear) with Pirelli P-Zero 275/35R20 tires in front and 275/40R20’s in back.

In a nod to the 1970 HEMI Cuda, the “10” also features a shaker hood – only this time, it’s constructed of carbon fiber, as is the deck lid and various aerodynamic bits fitted to the body.