Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Utah Car Cents Audio April 19 & 26

Utah Car Cents Audio:





Smart Car Safety and MPG's, Hidden Dangers of Bio-fuels.






Neighborhood House and Smart Car Tipping







Elon Musk and Taxes, Tesla in China and the Best Selling Automotive Brand








License Plate Scanners for Police, Jeff takes a "LYFT" and tells all.




Have convertibles gotten better? The New Honda HRV




Craft Lake City with Angela Brown.




Mary Barra, General Motors and their low IIHS scores.




Lyft and Uber vs. The Taxi Empire.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Nissan's Self Cleaning Nano Paint


Nissan shows off this self cleaning nano paint they have been working on.  How nice would it be to drive right on past the car wash?





PRESS RELEASE:
Nissan develops first "self-cleaning" car prototype

Nissan tests innovative nano-paint technology which repels dirt
European model Nissan Note is first car to trial paint which could make car washes obsolete
Potential aftermarket application being investigated by Nissan engineers in Europe


ROLLE, Switzerland – Washing a car can be a chore – and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan in Europe has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again.

The specially engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils, has been applied to the all-new European market Nissan Note to create the world's first self-cleaning car.

To assess the real-world effectiveness of the super-hydrophobic as a potential aftermarket application, engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe will be testing the self-cleaning Note over the coming months in a variety of conditions.

Nissan is the first carmaker to apply the technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry®, on automotive bodywork. By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car's surface.

So far, the coating, which is being marketed and sold by UltraTech International Inc®, has responded well to common use cases including rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water. Whilst there are currently no plans for the technology to be applied to the model as standard, Nissan will continue to consider the coating technology as a future aftermarket option.

"The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of customer driving, and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier," said Geraldine Ingham, Chief Marketing Manager for Nissan Note. "We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting edge technology like this incredible coating application."

About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 635,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs, commercial vehicles and the Nissan LEAF, the worlds most popular Electric Vehicle with 97% performance satisfaction and 95% of customers willing to recommend the car to friends. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.

Big Block Smart Car

Smart car tipping has been a craze lately, guess no one is tipping this one over...








Beats this...







You may also be interested in SMART CAR TIPPING

Sunday, April 27, 2014

A Subaru. A Dog. A Twist.



This dog is run over by a Subaru. Then Something Magical Happens. Must Watch...



Friday, April 25, 2014

Got Turbo? Best Turbo Cars for the Money 2014

Best Turbocharged Cars for The Money



Car companies are pushing harder than ever to satisfy customers with performance options and fuel efficiency.  As a solution, more and more automotive manufacturers are migrating to turbochargers.  Turbos are a great way to get more horsepower out of smaller engines and keep high mpg standards.




How do Turbochargers Work?
Think of a motor or an engine as a giant air pump, the faster the air goes in and the faster the air goes out, the faster and more efficient the motor can run. Turbochargers work by recycling air from the vehicles exhaust system and redirecting it back into the motor via the intake, putting the air in faster than the engine traditionally sucks it in. This is called forced induction, and as a result more horsepower and torque is gained without adding extra cylinders, which saves gas.



Who’s Hopping on the Bandwagon?

Over 14 automobile manufacturers have turbocharged vehicles in their 2014-15 line up.  Some of them are known for their turbocharged sports sedans & coupes, such as Subaru, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen, Buick and Kia.  Automobile manufacturers are beginning to perfect the efficiency of turbos and we, the consumers are beginning to benefit. However, don’t walk away with the wrong message, we never said turbos were better and more fuel efficient than hybrids, were just saying it’s nice to be able to step on the gas pedal and feel performance without worrying about the gas gauge dropping to empty. Below is a table of our favorite new turbo models, we have averaged them out and chosen the best turbo for the money.


Model
Horsepower
Torque
MPG
MSRP
Disp.
Hyundai Veloster R-Spec
201
195
24/28
21,300
1.6
Nissan Juke SV
188
177
25/31
20,990
1.6
Kia Optima SX Turbo
274
269
31/20
27,500
2.0
Subaru WRX
268
258
21/28
28,495
2.0
Ford Focus ST
252
270
23/32
26,125
2.0
Volkswagen GTI D.E.
200
207
21/31
29,695
2.0
Buick Verano
250
260
21/32
29,240
2.0
Chevy Sonic RS
138
148
27/34
21,350
1.4
 Dodge Dart
160
184
28/41
19,995
1.4
Ford Fusion
240
270
22/33
30,600
2.0
Chevy Cruze
138
148
26/38
23,805
1.4
Hyundai Genesis
274
275
19/22
29,350
2.0
Hyundai Sonata
274
269
21/32
24,300
2.0
Mazda Speed 3
263
280
18/25
24,995
2.3
Average
222.9
229.3
23.7/30.9
25552.9
1.8
















 

 

* Blue highlights represent best pick closest/best pick to averages

 To pick just one car would be impossible. Each sedan and hatch has its ups and downs; the Subaru WRX is AWD with sport tuned suspension. The Hyundai Genesis has a Brembo package and the Ford Focus ST comes with Recaro seats.  Each model offers different packages and tunes for different customers. If we absolutely had to choose the best turbo for the money, it would be the Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata  comes with the best horsepower, torque and gas mileage for the best price.

WOOOOOSH! 
Hyundai Sonata

 Kia Optima

 Hyundai Veloster

 VW GTI

 Subaru WRX

 Ford Focus St (shelby pictured)

 Chevy Cruze

 Nissan Juke

Buick Verano 

Chevrolet Cruze

Hyundai Genesis


Mazdaspeed 3


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Subaru Says NO to WRX Hatch Rumors

Subaru Dismisses Hatch Rumors


You may or may not have heard rumors from an Australian reporter that Subaru was playing with the idea of releasing a WRX hatch again in the future.  Consider these rumors dismissed.  Subaru's Product General Manager Masuo Takatsu was quick to dismiss this.  The rumor started when a quote from Takatsu was either misinterpreted or mistranslated to ... "We have received strong interest from the U.S., where the hatchback was 50% [ previous gen] of sales, so were now considering [new hatch].






Now, Motortrend and Autoblog have confirmed that Subaru has denounced any misconceptions or rumors of a hatch now being considered. In all honesty, this makes perfect sense. Subaru dropped huge amounts of their R&D budget on making the new WRX & STI their best handling, driving performance car yet.  To simply accept or state that another hatch would be in the future would be damaging to sales. After all, how many would definitely wait another year or two for the WRX hatch to return?  If stats are right, apparently half of us would...
  



 With all speculation, this is what I can see forth coming in the future.  Bear with me here; the Subaru Outback has gotten bigger each new model release along with the Forester. The Outback used to be Subaru's top selling hatch, yes, over the WRX. Believe it. Subaru knows they have demand for a hatchback and I believe they will deliver, not with the WRX but with the new Levorg.  Compare the new Levorg hatch with the newly released Legacy. Nearly identical, maybe we will have a surprise?


Subaru is in an evolving brand right now, their setting new records on a month to month basis and becoming mainstream. Honda & Toyota are now comparing their vehicles to Subaru in commercials trying to prove dominance, but the little AWD car company just wont quit delivering top features and mpg's for aggressive prices. The new Forester was Motortrend's top pick for 2014 and the new 2015 WRX has had nothing but positive test drive reviews (opposed to the want of a hatch).


Subaru knows their is a market for a more 'sedan-like' hatch. This year they wont have one, but following Subaru's trend for new vehicle releases, I think we will be seeing this Levorg hatch coming to the US in the near future. Subaru always delivers, their just slow at it.


The Levorg even has it's own facebook page. 





www.facebook.com/utahcarcents

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Friday, April 18, 2014

The New York Autoshow: Best Cars

New York Auto Show Best New Cars









2015 Subaru Outback


Bigger, Bolder, Better. Then new 2015 Subaru Outback incorporates features from each of their other models. Shaped with the new WRX style headlights, a new Legacy style grill and the same good ol' fashioned hatchback.  The new legacy comes with a 2.5L & 3.6L opt Boxer engine with new state of the art CVT technology. The new outback is more spacious in every way.  We look forward to a new 3rd row seater from Subaru.





2015  Mazda MX-5 - 25th anniversary


Zoom-Zoom, Mazda is back with their redesigned MX-5, featuring a new chassis and retractable hard top.  Can we just hint at something?  Where's the turbo?






2015 Honda HRV

The new Honda Fit based cross over was revealed, the Honda HRV, formerly known as the Vezel in Japan.  Honda's New Cross over will be new to Americans. No release date thus far...





2015 Hyundai Sonata


Hyundai's new Sonata with a sleek new design, LED's and new more aggressive wheel base.  A great new look for a good economy car.



2015 Dodge Charger

Dodge has been been busy redesigning their new muscle, the new Dodge Charger has a bit of Dodge Dart look to it it's front end. Interior and Exterior changes have been made: including an 8 Speed automatic, a 3.6L V6, 5.7L V8 at 370hp and 398lb-ft of torque.







2015 Audi RS7

Ranking in at $146,000 green, the new RS7 hatch hits 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. Features 21'' wheels and a whole lot of Audi.






Ford Transit Skyliner

Ford stepped up to the plate with their new Transit Skyliner, featuring a wine bar, hardwood flooring and VIP seating.  This new little transport lets the you ride in comfort and style for quiet, comfortable ride.






Ford Focus Electric Vehicle

Stepping up and looking better than Nissan's Electric car, the Leaf. The new completely electric Ford Focus has got to be the first of the future cars to actually look like, well, a car?  For some reason automotive manufacturers have felt the need to make hybrids and electrics stand out in horrible ways. At least ford to a new concept to make it look like one of it's already mass produced vehicles.






2015 Ford Mustang 50th

It's the Mustangs 50th anniversary and Ford has completely redesigned the whole look. This has got to be one of the first Mustangs that actually looks the part. Coming out with their 5.0 at 420 horses,  390lb-ft of torque, the Camaro, Charger and Challenger all have competition.  Ford hit it out of the park.


 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible

The Corvette Z06 is looking mean and aggressive. Chevrolet introduced the new convertible at the New York Auto Show and we normally don't like convertibles, but this Z06 is slick and looks ready to conquer the road.