Talks About Cars

Hyundai's i30 CRDi SX diesel model has recently bagged the 2007 Car of the Year award from CARSguide. The Hyundai i30 stand out among the other vehicle contingents from all over the world. Judges for the award were impressed by the vehicle's small turbo diesel engine and other standard features inside and out like the electronic stability control (ESP).

Kevin McCann, Director of Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Australia, commented: “We’re extremely proud that the i30 has received these two esteemed awards . With several class -leading innovations and our traditional outstanding value, we had no doubt that the i30 would succeed in giving all its competitors – including hybrids – a run for their money.”

McCann added: “The new i30 is a reflection of Hyundai’s world-class design capabilities with its inspired European styling, innovative iPod®/USB-compatible audio and outstandingly frugal turbo-Diesel engine. The i30 offers a suite of intelligent safety features and Australian-optimised suspension and steering, together with the class-leading quality and reliability for which Hyundai is increasingly recognized.”

Below are the results of the 2007 CARSguide Car of the Year award

Final Rankings

1. Hyundai i30 CRDi (94pts)
2. VW Golf GT TSi (86pts)
3. Mazda2 Maxx (75pts)
4. Mitsubishi Lancer VR (71pts)
5. Mercedes-Benz C280 (66pts)
6. Holden Ute SV6 (56pts)
7. Ford Mondeo Zetec (37pts)
8. Subaru Impreza RS (32pts)
9. BMW X5 3.0d (31pts)
10. BMW 335i sedan (25pts)
11. Volvo C30 T5 (21pts)

Diesel Compact Hatch comparison (Fuel Use and CO2 emission)

Hyundai i30 SX CRDi 4.7 125
Hyundai i30 SLX CRDi 4.7 125
VW Golf Trendline TDi 5.5 149
Ford Focus TDCi 5.6 148
Citroen C4 SX HDi man 4.8 128
Peugeot 307 XS HDi 4.9 129
Holden Astra CDTi 5.9 159
Citroen C4 SX HDi 6SA 4.5 120
Mazda3 Diesel 6.0 n/a
Alfa Romeo 147 JTD 5.9 157

American Suzuki Motor Corp made the recent 2007 Arizona International Auto Show as the stage for the presentation of two of its newest vehicle models. The automaker stirred the crowd at the show with the all-new 2008 four-door Suzuki SX4 Sport and the Suzuki BaseCamp concept models.

Mark Harano, president of American Suzuki's Automotive Operations commented:
"As we begin the new model year, we're excited to introduce an expanded line of fun-to-drive vehicles, including the all-new SX4 Sport. With the SX4 Sport now in showrooms, the Arizona International Auto Show provides the perfect venue for local residents to preview the car's impressive styling, roomy interior and attractive price point before the holiday shopping season."

Check out what these two Suzuki models has to offer.

Suzuki BaseCamp Concept
- based on the XL7 midsize crossover SUV
- liquid metal body paint exterior with titanium cladding
- unique gullwing passenger side door
- full media connectivity, including Wi-Fi Internet access, Bluetooth integration and iPod/MP3 capabilities
- custom roof rack system with an integrated dual slot bike rack and Santa Cruz mountain bikes
- eight high-intensity LED light clusters
- enclosed cargo/luggage area
- forward-mounted miniature camera
- modern canopy with carbon fiber frame
- mica-hued light-toned seating and titanium accents
- in-dash CD/DVD and GPS/Navigation system with real-time traffic

Suzuki SX4 Sport
- 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine
- five-speed manual transmission
- six airbags (front driver and passenger airbags, driver and passenger side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags)
- four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
- electronic brake-force distribution
- tire pressure monitoring system
- front seatbelt pretensioners
- AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with four speakers
- tilt steering wheel
- aero body package
- 17-inch alloy wheels and floor mats

Optional packages are also include for the SX4 Sport including the Convenience Package and Touring Package, both equipped with a wide range of exclusive additional features.

Lexus is bringing back the "December to Remember" marketing campaign this holiday season. This year, Lexus will promote the campaign as a part of the December Sales Event and will feature TV broadcast spots, print ads, and radio spots. The "December to Remember" marketing campaign has already started to conquer several media last November 21.

David Nordstrom, Lexus vice president of marketing commented:
"December to Remember has become a signal that the gift giving season is upon us. While the storylines may change from year to year, consumers always look forward to that joyful feeling they get from watching the recipient discover a brand-new Lexus in the driveway, complete with the red bow. This year, we took it a step further and reached out to those consumers who work hard all year and are looking to reward themselves. We hope the purchase incentives will inspire consumers to give their loved ones—including themselves—the gift that they can appreciate all year."

The "December to Remember" campaign will feature three TV spots entitled "Hockey Practice," "Self-Gift", and "Baby Its Cold Outside". Each TV spot features unique story line focusing on persons receiving brand new Lexus models adorned with a red bow as their gifts. Two radio spots are also included entitled "Surprise Methods" and "The One Thing".

Chrysler LLC has recently launched its two minivan models - the 2008 Chrysler Town Country and the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan equipped with numerous new features inside and out. This week, the editors of Popular Science Magazine has recognized these new features of the two models and selected the 2008 Chrysler Town Country and the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan as the winner of the "Best of What's New" for 2008.

According to Mark Jannot, Editor and Chief -Popular Science Magazine:
"For 20 years, Popular Science's Best of What's New awards have honored the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future. PopSci's editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list. There's no higher accolade Popular Science can give"

New features of the 2008 Chrysler Town Country and the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan include:
- Swivel n' Go(TM) seat system
- Stow n' Go(R) seating system
- second-row bench seat with fold-in-the-floor third-row seat
- advanced multi-stage driver airbags
- low-risk deployment air bags
- all-row supplemental side-curtain airbags
- rollover protection
- electronic stability program with traction control and brake assist
- SIRIUS Backseat TV
- dual DVD entertainment system
- One-touch power third row folding seat
- YES essentials stain-resistant, odor-resistant and anti-static fabric seats
- premium front console that slides rearward 21 inches
- 13 cup or bottle holders
- minivan-first six-speed transaxle available with 3.8-liter and 4.0-
- liter V-6 engines
- 3.3-liter V-6 flex-fuel-capable engine with four-speed transaxle
- 3.8-liter V-6 engine with new six-speed automatic transaxle
- new 4.0-liter V-6 engine with new six-speed automatic transaxle

Deborah Meyer, Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer-Chrysler LLC concluded:
"We are very honored that Popular Science chose the Chrysler Town Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan as award winners for 2008. The Chrysler Town Country and Dodge Grand Caravan are leaders in the minivan marketplace because of what they offer. Innovation, functionality, value, safety and useful features are what set the Dodge and Chrysler minivans apart from the others."

A recent study conducted by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) in conjunction with Stefan Lonce, the author of the upcoming book entitled "LCNS2ROM - License To Roam: Vanity License Plates And The Stories They Tell" shows that some of American and Canadian vehicle owners are fond of using personalized vanity license plates on their cars.
The top vanity plate penetration rates in the US include:

- Virginia (16.19%)
- New Hampshire (13.99%),
- Illinois (13.41%)
- Nevada (12.73%)
- Montana (9.8%)
- Maine (9.79%)
- Connecticut (8.14%)
- New Jersey (6.88%)
- North Dakota (6.51%)
- Vermont (6.11%)
- Texas (0.56%)

The highest vanity plate penetration rates in Canada include

- Ontario (4.59%)
- Saskatchewan (2.69%)
- Manitoba (1.96%)
- Yukon (1.79%)
- Northwest Territories (1.75%)
- British Columbia (0.59%)

Neil Schuster, president and CEO of AAMVA commented:
"Vehicle license plates are as common today as the vehicles on our roads. But what is uncommon is the great number of individuals who have chosen to use these plates as a form of personal expression. I invite Americans and Canadians to witness the examples of personal expression on vanity plates not only in LCNS2ROM, but also on the streets and highways. Each vanity plate tells a unique story, known only by the vehicle's owner, which remains a mystery for others to decode."

Stefan Lonce concluded:
"When I began working on LCNS2ROM, I was amazed to learn that no one knew how many Americans and Canadians have chosen to 'vanitize,' which means 'to embellish a motor vehicle with vanity license plates'. Vanity plates are minimalist poetry in motion. Vanity plates are powerful message platforms that allow motorists to tell compelling or funny stories in eight or fewer characters. And vanity plates are fun."

If you plan to get a new car and have already decided what vehicle model to purchase, well, think again, coz the car you have chosen could be included in The Truth About Cars' (TTAC) Ten Worst Automobiles for 2007.

TTAC has released the list of the winners or rather the unfortunate vehicle models that are included in the Ten Worst Automobiles for 2007. The ten vehicles was chosen by TTAC staff, after evaluating more than 100 vehicles submitted by TTAC readers.

Anyway, check out the Ten Worst Automobiles for 2007, along with the description of TTAC staff.

10. Saturn ION
"The lame duck ION waddles off the field of battle without achieving any glory whatsoever. From its Frankensteinian proportions and ditchwater dull detailing, to misaligned panel gaps visible from low earth orbit, to a Playskool-inspired dash made of recycled plastic swords, to engines so coarse they might as well been stickered 'for agricultural use only."

9. Chrysler Aspen
"Its OK love your SUV. Just not this one. The Chrysler Aspen is a cynical repackaging of the Pleistocene-era Dodge Durango, complete with an arthritic suspension and interior appointments you’re best advised not keep."

8. Chevrolet TrailBlazer / GMC Envoy / Isuzu Ascender / Saab 9-7X
"These are the four remaining examples of Ye Olde GMT-360 SUV platform. They’re old school SUVs in strictest sense of the term; anyone whose education involved spending endless hours at a desk nailed to the floor in a drafty, cheerless classroom will know what I mean. "

7. Hummer H2
"According to its detractors, the H2 represents everything that’s wrong with SUVs. We agree. The H2’s immense charisma has vanished as quickly as hopes for a little rapid fire nation building you-know-where. All that's left is a huge, slow, thirsty, ungainly five-year-old truck based on an eight-year-old platform."

6. Hummer H3
"The H3 is a 4700lbs. truck with a 220 horsepower five-cylinder engine. For those of you who don’t count rivets for fun, the H2’s baby brother is thirstier than Lindsay Lohan just out of rehab, slower than continental drift and rougher than Class VI rapids. "

5. Chevrolet Uplander
"Last year’s top dog is making its exit, but not gracefully. This dead van walking never fooled anyone with its SUV-wannabe styling on a poorly engineered ‘90s-era platform."

4. Dodge Nitro
"The Nitro is the answer to a question nobody asked: who wants a rough-running, gas guzzling, hard-shifting, sloppy handling, cheaply adorned, pavement bound, neutered Jeep?"

3. Chevrolet Aveo
"From its tinny-sounding doors to its penalty box interior, the Aveo screams cheap more loudly (and persistently) than an amphetamine-crazed parrot. Normally slow means frugal."

2. Chrysler Sebring
"The Sebring is a born rental car. It’s hideous in a deeply bland sort of way. Its cabin, handling, acceleration, and ride quality (or complete lack thereof) is to driving pleasure what hair shirts are to eczema sufferers. "

1. Jeep Compass
"Jeep’s recipe for disaster is both simple and comprehensive: laughable aesthetics, second-rate road manners, poky performance and interior materials pulled from the bottom drawer of Chrysler’s parts bin."

Ford Racing drivers at NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series had a great day at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 17 USG Ford Fusion finished 2nd during the recent Dickies 500 race and placed himself in the 10th spot at the Chase for the Championship.

Kenseth commented after the race:
“I’m happy and I’m disappointed. Whenever you’re leading with three to go, you’re always disappointed when you don’t win. That’s been a couple of races here in a row that’s happened to us, got passed on the last lap. So, I was disappointed in that, but overall, if I look back at the day, it was a great day for us. I don’t think we necessarily had a second-place car most of the day. It was good Friday when we unloaded, and tonight when it got dark it was pretty good again. But during the day we weren’t really any good at all. So that was probably a little bit of an advantage at the end.”

Meanwhile, although Carl Edwards finished the O'Reilly Challenge race for the Busch Series in the 11th place, he still managed to secure his championship title. Edwards commented about his achievement:

"I'm proud of my guys. We had an unbelievable first half of the season. We had some many points. These guys have been working very hard. I'm so grateful to be driving this car. To win it here at Texas, this track has a lot of memories here for me. It's just a really good feeling."

Edwards added: "Hopefully, it's one of many but we're going to try and do it again next year and try to do even better. We've had a lot of really great fortune this season and we've had a lot of bad fortune this season. This took a little bit longer than we thought. I'm just very, very grateful for all the people who have given me opportunities and I'm so glad to be here." SO YOU WANT TO TRY IT AGAIN. "Oh, yeah, for sure. I'll be back next year."