RideLust

To absolutely no one’s surprise, the price of gasoline is on the rise again, just in time for the holidays. The driving factor is the current price of crude oil, which has now topped $90 per barrel. It doesn’t matter that the gasoline already in the system was refined when oil was less expensive; what matters is that people drive more at the holidays, so retailers can charge more for the product. In fairness, I’m sure gasoline suppliers are charging more to the retailers already, so feel free to pass the blame up the food chain. I know from first hand experience that the gasoline retail business is not for the faint of heart, and only casinos are more relentless in their pursuit of profit than oil companies.

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I just got back from driving Ford’s new Explorer, both on road and off, but I can’t tell you anything about it until next Monday. For now, I can tell you that the Explorer’s base engine, a 3.5 liter V6, has received a best-in-class (midsize SUV, V6 engine) fuel economy rating of 25 MPG highway. To put things in perspective, that’s 25% better fuel economy than the outgoing V6, which only managed 20 MPG on the highway. The 2011 motor makes more power as well: last year’s 4.0 liter V6 only managed 210 horsepower and 254 ft lb of torque, while the 2011 mill manages 290 horsepower and 255 ft lb of torque, thanks in part to Ford’s Ti-VCT variable camshaft timing system. Sometimes, technology is our friend.

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You’ve got to love car companies with a sense of humor. Hyundai, eager to let consumers know that all Elantra models are EPA rated at a fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon highway, opted for a creative and humorous way to deliver the message. The ad is also good for some beauty shots of the new Elantra, which looks to be another stunning car design from Hyundai. Ultimately, it pokes fun at the new Chevy Cruze, which only achieves 40 MPG fuel economy in the Cruze Eco version. Other versions of the Cruze still manage 36 MPG on the highway, so it really isn’t the big deal that Hyundai makes it out to be.

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It's ugly, but it's safe...

Bob Dylan said it best, almost 50 years ago – the times, they are a changing. Nowhere is this more clear or more focused than in the automotive industry, where recent upcoming requirements for vehicle safety and fuel economy have manufacturers scrambling to come up with viable solutions. Mandating improvements based on existing technology is one thing, but mandating improvements based on technology you assume will exist in a few years is something else entirely. It’s no wonder that automakers are in full on panic mode when it comes to designing the next generation of vehicles.

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Oshkosh has been making tactical all-terrain vehicles for the military for years now, ranging from the 72-ton payload hauling Global Het, to their high-speed response and security vehicle, the SandCat. What that means is that Oshkosh is a company that must create, design and innovate to stay current in the ever developing world of advanced military vehicles. One such creation, the Oshkosh Light Concept, recently competed in the 43rd Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 and did so with the mission of showing off their latest serial diesel-electric ProPulse hybrid drive configuration.
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I never was a fan of vans—until my son came along. Now I can see why they’re so popular, why their toy-swallowing cargo holds and goo-resistant upholstery are so appealing. Heck, I even drive one and I’m not ashamed to admit it. And I wouldn’t be ashamed to drive this snazzy Euro-import Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon. Ford announced that they’ll be offering the civilian version of their work van soon. The family wagon seats five with enough headroom for Sultan Kösen and room leftover for a pair of Border Collies. The XLT Premium Wagon is powered by the same 2.0-liter inline four as its working brother. The engine is good for 136 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque and returns about 26 miles per gallon on the highway. A four-speed autobox is standard equipment. It doesn’t look like Ford will offer the van with the Eurpoean 1.8L Duratorq TDCi Diesel and five-speed manual transmission. It’s a shame because an oil burner with a manual gearbox would be a great combo for those who really want that industrial feel. My personal Ford Transit Connect fantasy: EcoBoost V6 and all-wheel-drive.

There are a couple of things to remember when building a car. First off you need money, then you need a plan and then lastly, you need to stick to that plan. Stray from that plan in anyway can mean that things will spiral out of control very quickly. Take this insane 1934 Ford coupe for example. This baby sports a blown 392 HEMI with 8-71 BDS blower and NOS blower setup with purge lines. It rocks 800 hp on motor only! Other features include a GM Turbo 400 transmission, CD player, quick change rear end, wheelie bars and 4 wheel disc brakes. Hell, you could probably drive it everyday if you wanted to (or not). I don’t know if this was the owners original vision or not, but either way the finished product turned out to be one hell of a hot rod.
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So this is what the new Hyundai Elantra will look like in the United States market. It’s not much of a surprise despite Hyundai’s efforts to keep the car hidden; as Inside Line tells us, it’s been released to other world markets as the Hyundai Avante since last April. The compact sedan gets familiar lines, and definitely borrows styling cues from the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The character lines sweeping back across the doors, the chiseled front fenders and the dual grille and fascia air intakes are common to both cars, which really do feature class-leading styling. Just a few years ago “bland” would have been the best word to describe Hyundai’s styling; today, “stunning” is much more accurate.

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A 1982 Dodge Colt; probably the last Dodge to see 40 MPG. Image: Productioncars.com

Forgetting about hybrids for a second, both Ford’s Fiesta and Chevy’s Cruze Eco are rated at 40 MPG highway or better for fuel economy. That left Chrysler as the sole U.S. automaker without a 40 MPG commuter car offering. Sure, the Fiat 500 will probably exceed that when details are announced on November 17, but that’s badged as a Fiat and not sold through each and every Chrysler or Dodge dealership; in other words, it doesn’t really count when you’re placing it up against the Fiesta and the Cruze.

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Honda's HPD street car. Photo: Honda America Motors

Honda Performance Development has been busy addressing the lack of a CR-Z Si in Honda’s product mix, and if their press release is accurate, the HPD CR-Z may be just the ticket. Though not available for sale just yet, the HPD tuned sport hybrid now sports a turbo and enhancements to the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system. The upgrades are said to result in a combined output of 200 horsepower and 175 ft lb of torque at the crank. As you’d expect, the clutch has been upgraded and the differential has been swapped for a limited slip version. HPD’s dropped the ride height, added bigger brakes and stiffened the suspension up for track duty. They’ve also added a body kit and bolted on a huge rear wning, which I’m sure can be removed easily enough.

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