IIHS ups the ante

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a non-profit organization funded by auto insurers, has been crash testing vehicle since 1995, when it began conducting frontal tests. Side crash testing began in 2003 and in 2005 the Institute awarded the first Top Safety Pick winners to 2006 models. The following year rear tests results were added and electronic stability control was required either as standard or optional equipment in order to qualify.

For 2010, the Institute upped the ante, requiring that all “Top Picks” meet new roof strength criteria – a change that resulted in the winnowing down of a record 94 Top Picks in 2009 to just 27 (and counting, as manufacturers can submit additional models for testing) for the 2010 model year.

“With the addition of our new roof strength evaluation, our crash test results now cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Consumers can use this list to zero in on the vehicles that are on the top rung for safety.”

Toyota, we hardly knew ye

The IIHS report is quick to point out that Japanese manufacturer Toyota is conspicuously absent from this year’s list: Not a single model from the world’s biggest automaker by sales is represented among this year’s winners. Toyota and its Lexus and Scion subsidiaries had a strong showing in 2009 with 11 winners but were shut out for 2010.

Four other manufacturers scored goose eggs as well – With BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Saab all failing to place a single model on the list.

Both the Honda Accord and the Ford Fusion also fell from grace with the Institute, although Lund left them with an out: “Honda and Ford would have to make only minor changes to achieve good ratings for roof strength, as the Accord and Fusion just missed the mark.”

And the winners are…

Large cars

Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars

Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars

Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs

Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

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).

The invisible manufacturer

Here at LotPro.com, we really have to pity poor Mitsubishi. As the red-headed stepchild of the Japanese automakers, the brand has found selling vehicles in the U.S. a bit of a rough row to hoe. If it wasn’t for the success of the Lancer (with 5 different trim levels plus two for the Evolution), which accounts for nearly half of all its passenger car sales here, the company’s footprint in the U.S. would be very small, indeed.

This isn’t to say that the vehicles that the company produces are bad, but they are, for the most part, forgettable. But that situation, hopefully, is about to change.

The i minicar

Just like every other Japanese manufacturer, there are a whole slew of models that Mitsu produces for its home market that never see the light of day here in the States. One of those models is the i minicar.

First released in Japan in January of 2006, the i features innovative styling as well as a unique mid-rear engine layout. Its overall length (133.7 inches) falls almost squarely between that of the Honda Fit (161.6 inches) and a Smart fortwo (106.1 inches). So why even mention the i?

i-MiEV

At the 2009 Geneva auto show, Mitsubishi exhibited two electric concept versions of the i, called the i-MiEV (for Mitsubishi in-wheel motor Electric Vehicle). Today, the company unveiled the production version and announced that it expects to lease 1,400 copies to corporations and governmental units in Japan with an eye on accepting orders, beginning in July, from individuals for delivery beginning in April of 2010.

Standard features include a single charge range of 100 miles from its stack of 88 lithium-ion cells and a top speed slightly north of 80 mph. It also features a climate control system with an air conditioner powered by an electric compressor and a heating system that circulates warm water from an electric heater.

The i-MiEV also comes standard with LED headlamps and rear combination lamps with LED emitters for the taillamps and stop lamps. And as if using electricity for motive power weren’t enough, the electric i also uses PBS (polybutylene succinate)-bamboo fiber Green Plastic for the interior trim on the tailgate.

Inside, the i-MiEV will have an available entertainment system complete with a 7 inch display and navigation (to be updated through the use of SD flash cards) based on solid state drive (SSD) technology to ensure maximum power conservation.

The rest of the story

The good news is that it looks like Mitsubishi is planning on bring the i-MiEV over here sometime in the near future. The bad news is that the vehicle sells for 4,599,000 yen (a cool $46,800) in Japan.

Cadillac and Hyundai biggest winners

Here at LotPro.com, we see where AutoPacific today released its 13th annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) based on the results of a national survey of over 25,000 new vehicle owners and lessees.

Hyundai Genesis

Noting that the current survey was conducted “in the most challenging auto sales market in years,” the company also announced that “even with the turmoil surrounding General Motors,” Cadillac, for the second year in a row, ranked highest with new car owners and took the Highest Satisfaction Brand award.

Another bright spot in the survey was Hyundai, which climbed 11 places in the overall standings, more than any other manufacturer in the survey, earning itself the Rising Star award for 2009. Not only did the company score more points in 40 of 48 rating categories over last year’s results, two of the Korean manufacturer’s models garnered VSA awards this year in their respective categories – the Genesis for Aspirational Luxury Car and the Sonata in the Premium Mid-size car category.

“These are difficult times, with news of automaker bankruptcies, companies restructuring and dealer closures a daily occurrence,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “Clearly, the dynamics surrounding the Vehicle Satisfaction Award in 2009 are far different from anything we’ve seen in many years. Winners needed to overachieve to earn their awards.”

Honda Fit Sport

Award Winners

The survey focused on buyers of new vehicles that either purchased or leased them during the fourth quarter of 2008 – just as the economic downturn was pummeling the auto industry.

Although the complete list of winners is listed below, it should also be noted that the vehicle that registered the highest overall satisfaction for the reporting period was the Lexus LS – scoring 99 points above the industry average. The highest scoring truck, the Cadillac Escalade, also contributed mightily to that brand’s overall win.

2010 Ford Fusion

Multiple award winners included Toyota with 6 (including 2 for Lexus and 1 for Scion), Ford with 4, (including 1 for the Lincoln brand), Hyundai/Kia with 3 (2 for Hyundai, 1 for Kia) , Chrysler with 2 (1 for the Dodge brand and 1 for its Jeep division) and General Motors with 2 (1 for Cadillac and 1 for its Chevrolet brand).

Other manufacturers on the list are Honda, Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Porsche and VW.

2009 Dodge Ram

Highest Satisfaction as a Brand: Cadillac

2009 Rising Star: Hyundai

Passenger Car Categories and Winners:

Premium Luxury Car               Lexus LS
Aspirational Luxury Car          Hyundai Genesis
Luxury Large Car                     Lincoln Town Car
Luxury Mid-Size Car                Lexus ES
Premium Mid-Size Car             Hyundai Sonata
Mid-Size Car                              Ford Fusion
Image Compact Car                  Toyota Prius
Compact Car                               Mitsubishi Lancer
Economy Car                              Honda Fit
Sports Car                                   Porsche 911
Sporty Car                                   Scion tC

Light Truck Categories and Winners:

Large Pickup                                     Dodge Ram 1500
Compact Pickup                                Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Luxury Sport Utility                        Cadillac Escalade
Large Sport Utility                           Chevrolet Tahoe
Premium Mid-Size Sport Utility    Ford Explorer
Mid-Size Sport Utility                      Jeep Liberty
Luxury Crossover SUV                    Land Rover LR2
Large Crossover SUV                       Mazda CX-9
Premium Mid-Size Crossover SUV Toyota Venza
Mid-Size Crossover SUV                  Volkswagen Tiguan
Compact Crossover SUV                  Kia Sportage
Minivan                                               Toyota Sienna

Unlike other car of the year awards, the World Car of the Year and World Green Car of the Year awards are much more international in scope. To give you an idea, the 2009 jury for the awards consists of 58 automotive journalists from 25 countries.

Because WCOTY is not regional, the award is, according to the committee, “intended to complement, not compete with those existing national and regional COTY awards, which are inherently different in scope.” Due to the broad scope of the award, there will always be vehicles on the list that are unavailable in certain regions and countries.

The WCOTY awards were first given out in 2005 and are administered by a non-profit corporation and the guidance of a steering committee of journalists from Asia, Europe and North America. Jurors are appointed for terms of from one to three years and represent one of the three regions.

2009 Nominated Vehicles

In order to qualify, a vehicle must be on sale in a minimum of five countries spread over at least two or more continents before January 1, 2009.The following vehicles have been nominated for 2009:

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

BMW 335d BluePerformance

Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon Hybrid

Citroën C1

Fiat Palio Weekend Electric

Fiat Siena Tetrafuel model

Honda FCX Clarity

Mazda Hydrogen Rotary RX8

MINI E

Mercedes-Benz ML/R/GL 320 BlueTEC

MINI Cooper D

Tesla Electric Roadster

2009 Citroen C1

Toyota iQ

Volvo V70 2.5 FT (Flexifuel)

Audi Q7 TDI

The Bottom Line

Unlike other awards, the WCOTY is truly international in scope. With the high price of gasoline this past summer and the certainty that gas will not stay below $3.00 per gallon for long, it is with more than a little interest that we take a look at not only the fuel misers available in the U.S. now, but what the rest of the world is looking at as well.

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?

2009 Ford Flex

What is IIHS?

Originally founded in 1959 by a group of insurers to support academic organizations working in the field of highway safety, the initial directive of this non-profit organization was changed in late 1968 when the Institute decided to “start at once to collect auto accident repair cost data prospectively.”

Beginning with the tenure of president William Haddon Jr., M.D. in 1969, the institute turned away from the traditional efforts of preventing crashes by changing driver behavior to developing a systematic approach to the reduction of vehicle occupant injuries, deaths and vehicle property damage.

The Institute’s current research covers three areas:

•    Human factors that include teenage drivers, alcohol-related driving impairment, truck driver fatigue and safety belt use.

•    Vehicle factors that focus on crash avoidance and crashworthiness research

•    Research of the physical environment that includes roadway design assessment to prevent such things as run-off-the-road crashes and the elimination of roadside hazards.

Crash Testing

Unlike the Federal government’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the IIHS does not use a full-frontal impact test, but rather a 40% offset frontal test. This exposes 40% of the front of a vehicle to an impact with a deformable barrier at approximately 40 miles per hour. The logic, according to the IIHS, is that while a full-frontal test certainly would yield results that would demonstrate the effectiveness of in-car safety systems, the offset test results better demonstrate the structural integrity of a vehicle and a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants.

In addition to the frontal offset test, the IIHS has also begun side impact tests using a barrier that is more elevated than in the NCAP test, to better simulate an impact with an SUV. Vehicle bumpers are also evaluated in a series of 5 mph tests, while seat and head restraint designs are tested and rated using a test sled.

Ratings and Top Safety Pick Awards

Based on test results, the IIHS rates a vehicle’s crash performance as good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. While requirements for a Top Pick have changed throughout the years, current vehicles must first earn a good rating in all three categories (front, side and seat/head evaluations for injuries that could be sustained in a rear impact). An additional requirement is that winning vehicles must offer Electronic Stability Control, as the Institute’s research indicates ESC “significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes, by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency maneuvers.”

2009 Honda Fit Sport

Top Safety Picks 2009

For 2009, the big winners were Ford Motor Company and Honda Motors. For its part, Ford had the greatest number of vehicles – 16 different models (two, the Fusion and Milan, have ESC as an option) – that were rated as Top Picks, representing 44% of current Ford vehicles tested by IIHS.

Honda, on the other hand, had 13 vehicles that were rated as Top Picks that represented 100% of Honda’s current lineup that has been tested by the Institute.

2009 Winners:

Large cars

Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A3
Audi A4
BMW 3 series – 4-door models
Ford Fusion – with optional electronic stability control
Honda Accord – 4-door models
Mercedes C Class
Mercury Milan – with optional electronic stability control
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat

Midsize convertibles

Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars

Honda Civic – 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Mitsubishi Lancer – with optional electronic stability control
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza – with optional electronic stability control
Toyota Corolla – with optional electronic stability control
Volkswagen Rabbit – 4-door models

Minicar

Honda Fit – with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs

Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs

Acura MDX
Acura RDX
BMW X3
BMW X5
Ford Edge
Ford Flex
Ford Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M Class
Nissan Murano
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups

Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup

Toyota Tacoma

Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero

 Innovation in design and technology

The Design Challenge, part of the auto show since 2004, is to pit the auto manufacturer’s Los Angeles-based design studios against one another. In addition to allowing stylists to explore cutting-edge ideas in automotive design, the auto show’s extensive press coverage allows participants to be recognized outside their studios.

GM Chaparral Volt

This year’s theme, Motor Sports 2025, challenged nine of SoCal’s studios to present their vision of what auto racing might evolve into by 2025. Design studios included Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Volkswagen – all manufacturers with a design presence in Cali.

Mazda Kaan

And the winner is…

For 2008, the winners are Jacques Flynn, Carlos Salaff, Minyoung Lee, Greg Lee, Tim Brown and Jordan Meadows of the Mazda North American Operations design team and their entry, the Mazda Kaan.

According to Mazda, the team “created an electric race car designed to compete in the 2025 season of E1 races, a time when California freeways have been resurfaced with a sub-level electro-conductive polymer that powers the electric cars of the modern world.” Using a Mazda-patented electronic tire system, the Kaan would be capable of speeds of up to 250 mph with no harmful emissions.

In a nod to Japan’s popular cycling culture and the celebrated “Keirin” races, “The vehicles are piloted by individual drivers but teams are made up of thirty cars, all on the track together. Using strategies similar to those in cycling pelotons, the tighter the group sticks together, the more aerodynamic and powerful it becomes.”

VW Bio Runner

The Bottom Line

Design contests are always great fun and this one is no exception. Considering the fact that Southern California has some of the most promising design talent in the U.S., this makes the event that much more remarkable. Kudos to the Mazda team for their first place finish.

Mitsubishi MMR 25

Here at LotPro.com, it’s sometimes hard to choose which stories to write about and which ones to ignore. If it’s a choice between writing about a new hot hatchback or Mitsubishi’s latest sales figures, there’s no question which topic will get the nod. But sometimes the choice is more difficult and today is a case in point: should the storyline follow new technology or nostalgia? Well, since it’s the time of the week that sometimes requires reflection, nostalgia won out. So for all those families out there that took part in the great family hauler crusade that began in 1983, here is the latest from Chrysler:

Auburn Hills, Mich., Sep 25, 2008  -  The year was 1983. Ronald Reagan was President of the United States of America. Lech Walesa was the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. The Internet was created, and the first mobile phones were introduced to the public. U.S. astronauts completed the first space shuttle spacewalk; Michael Jackson performed the “moonwalk.” The Baltimore Orioles won the World Series…and Chrysler hit a home run with the introduction of the first minivan.

The Chrysler Corporation (as it was known then) was first to market with the minivan in 1983. However, the development of the minivan began even earlier than that, in 1977, as a response to new customer needs identified in the marketplace.

In the late 1970s, U.S. “baby boomers” were starting families in large numbers and were looking for an economical alternative to automotive transportation. Traditional sedans and wagons continued to get smaller due to pollution and fuel economy concerns, and full-sized vans were being customized as passenger vehicles—but the combination of poor ride comfort, large size and rear-wheel-drive design did not make them ideal for family hauling. Chrysler designers and engineers understood the shortcomings of the full-sized van and began early development studies on a vehicle that would fulfill the needs of new families. Chrysler pinpointed a potential vehicle market that needed to deliver a few simple premises: fuel-efficient, easy to step into, family friendly and smaller than the Dodge Ram Van.

1984 Plymouth Voyager

After numerous concepts and proposals, Chrysler product planners unanimously agreed on a platform theme that utilized a flat-load floor with the entire powertrain in front of the passenger compartment. Utilizing a front-engine, front-wheel-drive chassis design, Chrysler engineers created a platform with chair-high command-of-the-road seating that provided easy entry and exit. A rear-wheel-drive chassis design would have required a taller floor design, or a center-raised tunnel traveling the length of the vehicle to provide drivetrain clearance. Chrysler engineers also determined that a rear-wheel-drive design would require owners to climb up into the vehicle, rather than conveniently step into it.

With the new family vehicle design theme locked into a front-wheel-drive layout, Chrysler’s new “magic wagon” program faced uncertainty with tough U.S. economic conditions. It was not until the federal Chrysler Loan Guarantee Board approved $1.5 billion (U.S.) for future product programs in 1980 that Chrysler had the funding to move forward.

1985 Voyager Camper Package

With new capital to invest, and an economical program budget of $660 million, all bets were on the production of the magic wagon. The program was a “go,” receiving its official internal chassis program designation of “T-115.” Chairman Lee A. Iacocca and soon-to-be President Harold “Hal” K. Sperlich quickly led development of the magic wagon—a “mini-van”—along with a revamping of the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, to produce the upcoming family hauler.

On November 2, 1983, the first minivan rolled down the assembly line in Windsor. These 1984 model-year Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager models quickly appeared in dealerships throughout the U.S. alongside the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant K-cars. Chrysler’s limited technical and financial resources forced the Company to focus its marketing and support efforts on K-cars, but Dodge and Plymouth minivans were the products ultimately attracting consumers into dealerships.

The launch of the minivan in 1983 created an all-new product segment. Observed top U.S. automotive magazine Road & Track, “Chrysler is betting there’s a big market for a van of this size and is aiming it at current station wagon owners; those who already own larger, less efficient club wagons; growing families; those who need station wagons but hate the stodgy suburban image; women who aren’t comfortable driving large conventional vans; people who used to own full-sized sedans and like plenty of interior room, and those who just enjoy the sheer novelty of the vehicle.”

1990 Chrysler Town & Country

The Company’s bet was well placed. Chrysler’s minivans were an instant success.

As the minivan became a cultural icon throughout North America in the 1980s, its introduction to the international markets helped establish and solidify the Chrysler brand worldwide. It was in 1987 that Chrysler’s new minivan, also known as the MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle, began sales in Europe.

1993 Plymouth Voyager

Diesel-powered minivans were introduced in 1993, aimed at further strengthening the presence of Chrysler minivans in Europe. In 1996, the Company offered right-hand-drive versions, opening up sales opportunities in markets such as the UK, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

In keeping with the original premise of fuel efficiency, a new world record for fuel economy was set in 2000 by a Chrysler Voyager SE powered by its available 2.5-liter common-rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine. The Voyager traveled 1,724 kilometers (1,077 miles) on a single tank of diesel fuel – a first for a minivan.

2003 Chrysler Voyager

The newest fifth-generation minivans—Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler Grand Voyager and Dodge Grand Caravan—encapsulate more than 65 minivan-first features and more than 25 years of development in minivan leadership. As the leader in family transportation, Chrysler and Dodge minivans take the “family room on wheels” concept to a new level.

The legacy of innovation will continue to be a priority for Chrysler and Dodge minivans going forward. With more than 12 million minivans sold worldwide and over 260 awards—including 2008 “Minivan of the Year” and “International Truck of the Year” by the International Car of the Year organization—Chrysler and Dodge minivans are continuing to make history.

2009 Chrysler Town & Country

What’s new for the Lancer for 2009?

For 2009, the Mitsubishi Lancer is new from the ground up. Not only is it new, but it is now available in a multitude of trim levels – from the base DE, all the way up to the tire-smoking Evolution. Vanilla Lancers include the DE, mid-level ES (with a sport version) and the GTS, which is more of a French Vanilla version, since it includes the 2.4 liter, 168hp engine – a jump from the 2.0 liter, 152hp engines found in the DE and ES.

From this point on, things only get better. The top two models are the Lancer Ralliart, which features a turbocharged 2.0 liter 235hp engine and all wheel drive mated to a 6-speed twin clutch manu-matic transmission. The final step in this progression leads us to the Lancer Evolution, featuring the same 2.0 liter turbocharged four, but this time it produces 291hp and 300 lb.-ft of torque.

New 2009 Ford Flex

Tired of the same cookie-cutter styling in crossover SUV’s? Ford has the answer – the 2009 Flex. Designed to replace the Freestar minivan, the Flex certainly makes a bolder styling statement. Where the Freestar could easily get lost in the sea of minivans at soccer practice, the Flex stands out – looking very much like a cross between an uber-MINI, with its upright style and contrasting roof, and a super sized version of the Scion xB.

Inside, the Flex offers all of the electronic wizardry of the corporate parts bins, and then some. The Sync communications/entertainment system – developed in collaboration with Microsoft – comes replete with a 2,300 song jukebox hard drive. The six passenger configuration (seven-passenger seating is also available) offers an optional refrigerator between the middle seats. The optional Multi-Panel Vista Roof consists of an electric sunroof over the front seat passengers, while a larger fixed panel acts as a skylight for rear seat passengers. And when the sun sets, the interior ambient lighting system can be set to one of seven color combinations.

Safety features include a full compliment of front and side airbags, as well as a curtain airbag system designed for all three rows of seats. 4 wheel disc brakes along with ABS and Ford’s Roll Stability Control round out the standard safety features.