The obvious and not so obvious

Here at LotPro.com, we realize that it doesn’t take a genius to conclude that it’s going to cost you a bundle to insure a sports car like the Nissan GT-R, Dodge Viper or Audi R8. All three are very expensive, very fast, and attract traffic cops in much the same way that Brad and Angelina attract the paparazzi – you can’t miss them and they’re usually good for a money shot (using a radar with the former and a camera with the latter).

What is surprising is the inclusion of the Cobalt SS in the top 20, while Chevy’s big gun, the Corvette, is MIA (demographics may have something to do with it, since Cobalt buyers are younger and more prone to “mashing the foot feed”, as it were). BMW is well represented with the four models (M6, M5, M3 and X6), the most from any single manufacturer. Of the top 20, 14 are sports cars (we take exception to the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class being classified as a “passenger car” and have included it in this category), 4 are large SUV’s, the Cadillac Escalade EXT is the lone truck and, sans the aforementioned SL, the Audi S8 is the lone passenger car.

The results

Insure.com lists the Nissan GT-R at the top of the list, noting that “Owners of the GT-R buy it for power and speed, and their driving habits are often reflected in frequent and expensive insurance claims (insert here the Japanese word for ‘obviously’).” Not far behind is the Dodge Viper, followed by the BMW M6, Ford Shelby GT 500 and, rounding out the top 5, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Here is the complete list of the most expensive 20:

The bottom 20 for the rest of us

Lacking a payment and insurance budget that might equal the GDP of a small third world country, the rest of us can always aim for the top least expensive vehicles to  insure.

Again, it doesn’t take a Mensa candidate to realize that this list will be populated, for the most part, by small and mid-size passenger vehicles equipped with 4 and 6-cylinder engines. Indeed, the top 5 vehicles are all Korean, with 3 Kia models and 2 from sister company Hyundai. Most of this list is comprised of various and sundry forms of family haulers with minivans (6), passenger cars (6, but really 7 if you include the Rio5 which is a hatchback) and  SUVs (5) accounting for most of the listed vehicles. The remaining two include the Scion xB (almost a minivan) and the list’s only truck, a Mazda (we’re assuming the B-Series).

The list’s biggest surprise, in more ways than one, was the venerable Lincoln Town Car, parked at number 17.

Here is the complete list of the least expensive 20:

How to save more green

Insure.com also had a number of other tips to help you save on your car insurance bill:

•    Trade higher deductibles for lower premiums – but make sure you can afford your deductible in case you crash your car

Koreans are the new Japanese

The Korean automakers are rapidly becoming to the new millennium what the Japanese automakers were to the 70’s and 80’s. Back then, Honda, Toyota and Datsun rode the wave of relatively cheap labor and high quality to establish themselves as the brands to beat in the low to midsize passenger car segment.

And just as those brands became mainstream, the Korean automakers Hyundai, Kia and Daewoo (which failed on its own but has a presence in GM-branded models) were quick to follow in their footsteps. Although there were initial issues with quality and durability (the initial Japanese vehicles, you’ll recall, rusted hideously), these were addressed with better quality and some of the longest and most comprehensive new vehicle warranties in the industry.

And just like the Japanese, the initial Korean offerings were, shall we say, somewhat lacking in the styling department. That has also changed in recent years. The new Hyundai Genesis sedan, while somewhat derivative, is quite striking and the coupe variant has the aggressive looks of a serious performer.

New Kia Concept

Kia, for its part, has not been sitting idly by as its sister company grabs all the glory. The new Soul, soon to be in dealer showrooms, is a genuine competitor in the mini hauler segment now occupied by the Scion xB and the soon-to-be-available Nissan Cube while the new Forte sedan is scheduled to replace the forgettable Spectra sometime this summer.

As part of this new product onslaught, Kia introduced a mini-truck concept, the Soul’ster, at this year’s NAIAS and today, the company announced that it is about to introduce a second concept, this one an MPV, at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March third. Here is the press release from Kia:

(SEOUL) February 24, 2009 — Kia will be displaying an all-new MPV concept, a range of Idle Stop & Go cars and an innovative hybrid at the 79th Salon International de l’Auto which opens in Geneva on 3 March.  There will be a total of 18 vehicles on the Kia stand [Stand 5231, Hall 5] including three models making their first appearance in Switzerland – the Kia Soul, upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV and upgraded new-look 2009 Kia Optima sedan.

All-new, the Kia No 3 Concept Car redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive.  The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new ‘face of Kia’ displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation.  The 159.25 inch long concept is finished in matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

Kia cee’d ISG

The new Kia cee’d ISG (Idle Stop & Go) models, which offer up to 15% fuel savings in city driving, are now on sale in many countries across Europe.  Kia’s innovative ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move off.  Kia cee’d ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline engines and each of the three cee’d family body styles – five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee’d.  The 1.4-litre ISG models at Geneva have a 137 g/km CO2 rating.

Kia cee’d Hybrid

Kia Motors has produced a fleet of prototype Kia cee’d Hybrid cars especially for testing and evaluation in Europe.  The cee’d Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 20 hp, 77.5 lb.-ft. AC synchronized electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system.  Kia calculates that the cee’d Hybrid accelerates to 62 mph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 115 mph.  The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 49 mpg and a CO2 figure of 109 g/km – down 25% compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline cee’d.

Not a Concept

Unlike some of the vehicles that will be introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that begins in 4 days, the Scion xB Release Series 6.0 (that would be the sixth xB limited edition version) is a production car – albeit one that will be available to only 2,500 buyers.

And while most of us here at LotPro.com are not big fans of the “limited edition” vehicles used by most manufacturers to, shall we say, increase the bottom line by inflating the price of the add-on doo-dads, this particular Scion variant will actually save you money if you’re looking for at least some of the options that it comes with.

Absolutely any color as long as it’s red

To begin with, this xB is available only in what Scion calls “Absolutely Red” exterior paint. Unique wheel covers (that’s right, they’re just covers) and a black-finished grille differentiate the R.S. 6.0 from your run-of-the-mill Scion Box.

Inside, the Release Series features a touch screen navigation system with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity and a 5.8 inch touch panel display. Illuminated door sills, 4-in-one interior lights, a cargo cover and special seat fabric are also part of the package.

Such a deal

MSRP for a base xB is $15,750 with a manual transmission and $16,700 for an automatic. The R.S. 6.0 package is an additional $1,743, while the rear spoiler for the R.S. package is an additional $320, plus installation (all Scion models have an additional $670 destination charge).

So what kind of a deal is this? If you delve into the Scion web site, you’ll find a custom grille for $215, a cargo cover for $259, interior and door sill lights ($299 and $290, respectively), as well as an optional navigation system that sells for $1,800. Without the unique seat trim, this brings the total a` la carte price of these items to $2,863, which means you save $1,120 if you buy into the R.S. 6.0 package – not bad at all, if this is what you’re looking for.

The Bottom Line

For those of you out there in the market for the second generation of a very versatile people and what-have-you hauler and you’re contemplating at least the navigation option, the Release Series 6.0 is a great deal, since you’ll be getting a discount on the nav system plus a few other goodies thrown in for good measure.

For immediate release – Wednesday, May 28, 2008

San Diego – Toyota and Ford tied for leading in the most segments on Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index™ (TQI), leading with three vehicles each. Toyota lead with its Yaris, 4Runner and Sequoia while Ford lead with the Edge, Mustang Convertible and F-250/350. The San Diego based research firm today announced the 2008 results that are based on the ratings by new vehicle owners in 19 product segments.

Toyota Motor Sales had two additional leaders with the Scion xB and the Lexus RX 350 (which tied with Land Rover’s LR2); while Ford Motor Company added two additional wins with the Mercury Sable and Volvo C30. “Ford is back, establishing its vehicle quality in the hearts and minds of its customers,” says Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision’s automotive division. “The Ford Edge is one of the vehicles Ford can be proud of. By careful attention to key areas such as exterior styling, workmanship and performance, (which are the cues that signal quality for crossover customers), Ford is building vehicles that also build brand equity and perceived customer quality.”

The Total Quality Index™ is the premier measure of new vehicle owner satisfaction. It asks buyers to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to performance and driving. It is much more than simply counting problems. “Innovation and thoughtfulness in functionality and design, keeping in mind how the customer will interact and use the vehicle, is essential,” reports Dr. Darrel Edwards, Founder and CEO of Strategic Vision. “Vehicles like the Volvo C30 and Toyota Sequoia are both terrific examples of providing customers with this ‘functional luxury’ in a very stylish design suggesting quality both on the inside and out.”

Mercedes, Honda and Chevrolet brands each had two leaders: Mercedes leading with the S-Class and SL, Honda with the Odyssey and Ridgeline, and Chevrolet with the Corvette Convertible and a tie with itself in full size trucks between the Avalanche and Silverado. From three leads last year, Hyundai took the lead in only one segment this year with its Santa Fe in one of the most competitive automotive segments, the Smaller SUVs. The Volkswagen Jetta, Chrysler 300C and BMW X5 were each TQI leaders. Also worthy of mention is the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu, now second in the highly competitive Medium Car segment. .

“Over the past quarter century in the US, customer perceptions of quality of domestic and Asian manufacturers underwent large swings. Today, it doesn’t matter if you are a Toyota or a Ford, BMW or Hyundai, each manufacturer has the opportunity and mandate to produce a product with the right Cues of Quality — those product attributes that signal quality and create customer Trust — and present vehicles that have a greater impact on the purchase decision,” says Alexander Edwards.

Buyers rated the following vehicles tops in their segments:

*2007 Total Quality Award™ winner

The Total Quality Index™ was calculated from the responses of 20,655 buyers who bought 2008 models in September, October and November of 2007. Strategic Vision has presented Total Quality annually since 1995.

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.