Motoring August 2008

SWINGSHIFT OF MOTOR CITY

By Kevin Ransom

The future direction of the Detroit automakers was written out in no uncertain terms in June and July, as consumers continued to shift their buying habits away from trucks and SUVs and toward smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, while Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC all announced big quarterly losses. In response, all three announced plans to cut back on truck production in the third quarter and beyond, while Ford announced plans to delay the introduction of the re-designed 2009 F-150 by two months and convert three truck and SUV plants to the production of smaller vehicles.

Ford Focus

So, given the market's thirst for smaller vehicles, it’s a good thing that there are already several several small, fuel-sipping vehicles in the Big Three's stalls – ready-made to steer these former truck buyers into.

One of those is the 2008 Ford Focus, which made big news when it debuted at the North American International Auto Show a couple of years ago, due to it’s Sync system. That’s the computerised system designed by Microsoft that allows for much easier and user-friendly integration of electronic items like cell phones and mp3 players. Colleagues will be talking about Sync elsewhere in this edition as the Flex flexes its muscle in the Middle East after turning heads in the US.

The ’08 marks a redesign for the Focus model that includes more assertive body lines, a completely new cabin, punchier acceleration and more dynamic handling. Again, ME Car colleagues have reported on the Foci from sun-kissed Spain but such is the importance of this vehicle as the globe’s cars get smaller, I felt I should get behind the wheel again too.

Let’s start with the exterior. Ford designers liberally took some cues from the very popular Fusion sedan introduced a couple of years ago – including the prominent chrome-bar grille design, the flared wheel arches and more flowing body lines. The result is a subcompact that manages to also exude a sporty vibe. Another snappy touch is a seemingly minor one: In the headlights, designers employed horizontal bars with a matte surface that traverse the reflection area of the lights and draw a visual “connection” to the sweeping line that runs across the chrome-bar grille. But the inter-model “sharing” doesn’t stop there. When designing the tailamps, designers also nicked a couple of cues from the Ford Escape, using a white arc cutting across the red lens. The centre high-mounted stop lamp (CHMSL) is integrated into the decklid and features a new clear lens that uses with red LEDs for a more modern look.

My test model was the higher-end SES, which, like the mid-line SE, boasts a front fender appliqué integrated behind the front wheel well. On all models, the “Focus” name is brightly spelled out in bold italic letters on the decklid, scuff plates and instrument panel. The Focus is also available in the entry-level S trim line, and can be had as either a sedan or, new for ’08, a two-door coupe.

Okay, time to take a look under the hood. All those folks making the transition from bigfoot SUVs and trucks into smaller cars know they are going to have less power at their disposal, but that’s simply a necessary trade-off if they want to get more mileage out of their $4-plus-per-gallon gasoline. Believe me folks, you’ve got it mighty good over there in the Gulf when you want to take a long drive on your day off.

The ‘08 Focus offers a choice between two engines: The standard plant is a 140-hp 2.0-liter, Duratec 20 dual-overhead-cam (DOHC), inline 4-cylinder. The 140 ponies is up slightly from ’07, from 136. The slight uptick in power comes from a new air intake system and a new cooling system, both of which are designed to improve efficiency and reduce back-pressure in the exhaust.

The other engine option is a 130-horsepower Duratec 20E engine that is so “clean” that it qualifies Focus as a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). Ford boasts that the 20E is even cleaner than some hybrid gas-electric vehicles. The PZEV engine is actually required from dealers in California, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine.
My test model was powered by the 140-hp 4-cylinder, and whether on the E-way or out in the country, it provided plenty of zip for a car that, keep in mind, is hauling around a lot less weight than an Explorer or F-150.

Due to its diminuative size, the Focus is able to achieve nimble handling characteristics from its suspension setup – which features MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink design in the rear. (The spring rates, dampers, stabiliser bars, and bushings are all new for 2008, by the way). In general, the spring rates were dropped, while steering and handling were improved by tuning and increasing the size of the front stabilizer bar.

Which brings us to that spiffy Sync system, which Ford is touting as offering “unprecedented levels of connection, control, simplicity and personalization” for the afore-mentioned electronic devices - better to reach the coveted youth market.

One appealing high-tech touch is a microphone inside the cabin that allows drivers to use their mobile phones “hands free” – always a good idea when you’re behind the wheel of a moving car. The system uses Blutooth technology to wirelessly connect up to six different mobile phones to the vehicle – although why anyone would need six phones in a compact car is a question that begs to be asked – via a process dubbed “pairing.” Once the phone is paired, its personal features (such as address book and ring tones) can be easily accessed by the system.

Also, Sync enables hands-free, voice-activated command and control over portable media players and USB storage devices. That means music freaks can choose what songs, artists, genres, albums and playlists they want to hear via simple voice commands.  
   
Sounds like the future has arrived!

Kudos to Ford for spiffing up this small-car entry with the electronic gadgets that appeal so much to younger buyers, who are emerging more and more as a key demographic as the industry shifts from big trucks to small cars.

GMC Sierra 1500

But, as the automakers remind us,some people still want or need trucks. So let's talk about one - the GMC Sierra1500. The current generation of the Sierra line-up was unveiled for the 2007 model year, boasting strong fuel economy for its segment without sacrificing power and off-road toughness.

I tested the higher-volume 1500, which is available in several trim packages - including Work Truck, SL (crew cab only), SLE (SLE1 and SLE2 models) and SLT, along with 2WD and 4WD configurations. It also offers three cab styles – regular, extended and crew cab – and three cargo box lengths – 5’8”, 6’ 6” inches and 8’. (You guys work the metrics out yourselves – here in Motor City we’re into tradition with our measurements!)

Just an aside: For those whose tastes and wallets make them yearn for a luxury-line pick-up, the Sierra Denali is a distinct model in its own right, with differentiated, exclusive features that improve its performance level, like the exclusive 6.2L all-aluminum V-8 engine with variable valve timing and a six-speed automatic transmission.

But back to the 1500: A few changes were made for ’08, including standard XM Satellite Radio on all models, optional power-adjustable driver’s seat on regular cab models with a bench seat and two new exterior colors: Dark Crimson Metallic and Sonoma Red Metallic. Buyers also have the option of going with the new, 22-inch bright-finish aluminum wheels and complementing tires.

Another new feature for ’08 is an optional integrated trailer brake controller on light-duty models that had previously only been available on the heavy-duty jobs. It’s now an option on extended cab and crew cab models. The controller is integrated with the ABS system, so it engages immediate brake-force signaling to the electric-controlled trailer brake systems.

Finally, the Sierra All Terrain edition is also new for ’08. It’s based on the popular Z71 Off Road package and comes with special shocks, unique interior and exterior design cues and 18-inch chrome wheels.
Fitting for a vehicle that is designed to haul heavy loads, the Sierra’s exterior design conveys a beefy and muscular vibe, with distinctive fenders and a “center-focused” hood, which flows outward to meet the front fenders. The stamped-in rear wheel flares also bolster the more muscular visage.

All Sierra models except the fleet-destined “work truck” model come with sparkly chrome hood molding, and the grille is offset by big, jewelled-looking headlamps. The Sierra SLT models, meanwhile, are adorned with a chrome front bumper with a body-color top cap.
Engine power is a key issue for pick-up buyers, and here the Sierra offers a choice for just about everyone: You can choose from among such plants as:
• The 195-hp 5.3L V-6;
• The 315-hp 5.3L FlexFuel V-8, which is E85-capable and features an iron block and an Active Fuel Management feature;
• The 367-hp 6.0L V-8 with aluminum block, variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management. (This engine is available on SLE and SLT extended and crew cab models as part of the enhanced trailering package); and
• The 403-hp 6.2L V-8 with aluminum block and variable valve timing, an engine that’s exclusive to the Denali.

Those are only four of the eight different plants that Sierra buyers can choose from. They can be hitched to various Hydra-Matic electronically controlled automatic transmissions, like the 4L60 four-speed automatic, the high capacity 4L70 four-speed automatic and a new 6L80 six-speed that comes with the Denali’s 6.2L engine.

And of course, ride quality and frame toughness are important in a pick-up truck, whether you’re on a construction site, hauling horses, or pulling a Winnegago. The ‘08 Sierra offers enhanced stability due to a new, boxed frame, coil-over-shock front suspensions and rack-and-pinion steering.

Five suspension systems are available, each designed to adapt to particular driving styles or requirements.

Interior space is also of interest to pick-up buyers, and the ’08 Sierra has more interior cargo space than its predecessor. The Sierra Work Truck and SLE come with a “pure pickup” interior, which boasts larger controls and door handles that are easier to use while wearing gloves. SLE1 models on regular-, extended- and crew-cabs come fitted with a new 40/20/40-split front bench seat, in order to provide more options for hauling objects of various shapes and sizes.
Plus, a large-capacity “double” glove box is integrated into the instrument panel on work truck and SLE models.

A stadium-style rear seat with a 60/40-split design is standard on the crew cab models and optional the extended-cab version. This is handy, in that can be easily folded up to provide an uninterrupted “load floor.” Or, either section of the split seat can be stowed independently, creating space for both cargo and a rear-seat passenger. And entry to the rear seat/storage area of extended cab models is a breeze, with rear access doors that open wide to a full 170 degrees.

Although truck sales are down in the US, many working mean and women still need the size and heft and pick-ups provide. And GMC upholds the Sierra’s rep with a sturdy, solid entry that can, from the company’s point of view, hopefully maintain a holding pattern until gas prices come back down.

Volvo C70

Well, it is summer in Detroit, so this column would not be complete without a review of a ragtop – in this instance, Volvo’s handsome C70. First launched in 2005, the C70 has consistently won effusive reviews, and for good reason: It boasts Volvo’s usual attention to detail – getting some assistance from Pininfarina of Italy - and it is a “hybrid” of sorts – but not in the way you think I mean
No, in this case, the vehicle is a hybrid between a coupe and a convertible. Its three-piece retractable hard top turns the C70 from a coupe into a ragtime with just the push of a button.

The C70 has been given some refinements for the 2008 model year, but it still stance  that is short and low to the ground, and wide enough for it to really hug the pavement when navigating those twisting country roads. And the aggressive body design also visually projects the car’s performance capabilities. Designers took a unique approach in drawing the body lines. They wanted to make sure the vehicle’s body shape was harmonious with either the coupe or convertible configuration – so they first drew it as a coupe. Then, after they had that style nailed down, they tweaked it a bit to turn it into a convertible.

The C70’s lines seem to flow rearward, giving the car a look that suggestions forward momentum. At the same time, the body style suggests an upward sweep that is visually counterpointed by the curvy sill line. Meanwhile, the tail section is truncated in a bold and edgy fashion, and the taillamps take their design cues from some of Volvo’s sedans, but more slender.

The retractable hardtop employs an electric motor and hydraulics so that it can be raised or lowered in about 30 seconds. When fully dropped, the top nestles into the luggage compartment, with nary a sign that it exists. It's raised and lowered in about thirty seconds. But Volvo’s designers have built in a load-assistance function to ensure that the luggage spzce still remained even when the top is tucked into the trunk.

Inside the cabin, the C70 shows off some Scandinavian  product-design touches, stressing a minimalistic approach to surface design the ease of operation of the various controls. The C70 also showcases Volvo's slender, “visually free-floating” center console, which is constructed from a specially developed upholstery material – Vulcaflex. And, the interior that is surprisingly  roomy for a ragtop sportster. Four adults can sit comfortably.

Naturally, there is always an implied connection between a convertible and performance capability, and the C70 does not disappoint in the power-plant department. The C70 gets its power from a standard turbocharged T5 engine – a 2.5-liter job that kicks out 227 ponies at 5,000 rpm– an increase over the 218 horses offered in the ’07 model. Torque is 236 lb. ft. from 1,500 to 4,800 rpm.

A performance-oriented manual six-sped gearbox is standard, and we really wouldn’t have it any other way.

That was plenty enough thrust to push the C70 through the rustic twisties -- and also enough to skedaddle in highway passing and lane-changing situations. Contributing to its sure-footed performance is the strength of the chassis, which is reinforced with spring struts at the front and Multilink axle at the rear – helping to deliver nimble road manners and crisp steering response. The Multilink rear axle is an independent rear suspension system constructed from a number of links, and is designed to deliver the right balance of controlled tire response and a comfy ride.

And given that Volvo is known for its high safety standards, it should not surprise that some of these links are assigned the task of providing a certain level of anti-skid steering effect. The long wheelbase and wide track, in concert with a body that is torsionally rigid, also help deliver the dependable and controlled driving performance. And the chassis height has been significantly lowered – on both the front and rear -- to further enhance the vehicle’s directional stability.

Also on the safety front, the C70’s side-impact and rollover protection has been enhanced by Inflatable Curtain (IC). In the ’08 C70, its design is unique: The curtain has an extra-stiff construction, bolstered by double rows of slats, which are slightly offset from each other. This enables them to remain upright and offer extra head protection even with the window open. The curtain also deflates gradually to provide extra protection in rollover situations.

New for the ’08 model is the Convenience Package, which includes rear park assist, Keyless Drive, the Volvo Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Interior Air Quality System (IAQS) and power retractable rearview mirrors.

Also new for the ’08 edition are standard Laminated Oak real wood on the signature ultra-slim center control panel, center console and door handle surrounds. And, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TMPS), Automatic Hazard Warning and Emergency Brake Lights have been added to the list of standard C70 safety equipment. Finally, Sovereign Hide premium leather seating surfaces can now be ordered as an option.

Well, that's enough time spent writing about the C70. Time to unchain myself from the computer and take this beauty for another spin in the country! The highway calls…..