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LA Auto Show Roundup

Chris — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:45:45 +0000

All the big news at this year’s LA Auto Show is small cars. It all started with the big reveal of the Chevy Cruze compact car that will be replacing the outgoing and aging Cobalt model. The new Cruze will sport either a 1.8L engine or a turbocharged 1.4L with the same power output as the larger engine but with an estimated 40mpg. This new compact from Chevy will target the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla as its sales competition.

Ford and Mazda have micro on the mind as they reveal their new hot hatch sub compact cars. First one being the highly anticipated Ford Fiesta, sporting a 1.6L engine and 40mpg (seems to be a trend here) the big news though is the inclusion of the PowerShift electronic dual clutch automatic transmission. This will allow the Fiesta to be lighter than a typical automatic transmission car and has a sealed internal lubrication so it is maintenance free. The new Mazda2 was announced for the US market without specifics. It is known that the car is based on the same architecture as the Ford Fiesta but the engine and driving dynamics being specifically built to Mazda’s Zoom Zoom quality.

The big winner of the day on reveals goes to Mitsubishi with its announcement of the Colt here in the USA. The EVO nosed Colt is a current global car for Mitsubishi and will be up against a tough and growing crowd of B-Segment cars like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, and Honda Fit. No details have been given yet, but we know that it will come with a manual or CVT transmission and have a MIVEC engine. A turbocharged Ralliart version is sold in Japan and would be the fastest B-segment on the market if introduced.

Now if we could twist American Suzuki Motor Corporations arm a little we could fill the segment with the world’s best B-Segment hit the Suzuki Swift, maybe there will be a surprise left at the LA Auto Show.

Stay tuned to OdoClub blog for the latest updates from the LA Auto Show. Also, if you are planning to attend the LA Auto Show make sure you sign up for OdoClub before you hit the road. OdoClub members earn rewards for every mile they drive. Rewards can be redeemed at participating dealerships for discounts on goods and services.

Join OdoClub today. It’s Free. It’s Easy. It’s Rewarding.

-OdoClub, It Pays to Drive

More From the Tokyo Motor Show

Chris — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:34:15 +0000

More surprises come our way from the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Green cars have been the talk of the show this year with almost every manufacturer having shown an electric only car. Not to be out done Mitsubishi has shown off its new i-MiEV Cargo concept, a commercial cargo carrier that is built on the i-MiEV platform that could give a company 62 cu. ft. of cargo room. This may not seem like much but for a Japanese company looking for a light delivery vehicle the size and fuel price of the i-MiEV will be a sure hit. No word on if this could be a production vehicle as of yet.

Nissan continued its Green car roll call with the new Nissan Fuga hybrid, we know this car in the USA as the Infiniti M35. The Fuga is built with a hybrid system designed by Nissan unlike the automakers current models which use the Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota. The new hybrid system will have a 50 kW (67 horsepower) and 270 Nm (200 pound-feet) of torque and a VQ35 engine attached to a 7 speed automatic transmission. No mention of it’s predicted MPG, but expect something in the low 30′s.

Not all the cars debuted this year are all about the green, some are all about the speed. Subaru introduced to the Japanese market the Impreza STI Carbon. With optional 2.0L or 2.5L turbocharged engines the STI carbon comes with a all carbon fiber roof and upscale interior. Unlike other versions of Impreza STI the Carbon will only be featured with a 5 speed automatic transmission. For now it will only be offered in Japan but with enough demand it may make its way to the United States in the future.

As manufacturers produce new models OdoClub is committed to helping make your purchase more affordable, whether it be a sporty fun to drive vehicle or your every day driver. OdoClub members earn rewards for every mile they drive. Rewards can be redeemed at participating dealerships for discounts on goods and services as well as the purchase of a new vehicle.

Join OdoClub today. It’s Free. It’s Easy. It’s Rewarding.

-OdoClub, It Pays to Drive

Mitsubish Planning More Electric Cars

Chris — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:29:17 +0000

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s mini-electric car, which will be available for test fleets next year, can be recharged at home. Top speed: About 90 miles an hour.

The i-Miev will get a range of 100 miles. Recharging the batteries from a quick charger takes 30 minutes; recharging from a 200-volt outlet takes seven hours. During driving, regenerative brakes recharge the battery pack.