Motoring March 2009

LET’S TALK CROSSOVERS AND MINI-VANS

By Kevin Ransom

Well, it seems like I’ve started every column for the last four or five months with an update on the Big Three’s financial crises, so I won’t dwell on that for too long this month. I’ll let my ME Car colleagues go to town on that in Geneva where there might be more questions than answers.

Needless to say, everyone here in Detroit is keeping their fingers crossed that the

restructuring plans presented to Congress by General Motors and Chrysler presented in mid-February in mid-February will be approved by the federal government. Those plans were a condition of the loans they got in December – and part of their request for the remainder of the loans they also requested that month.

Those plans included an announcement that huge job cuts were coming, which seems at cross purposes with President Barack Obama’s desire to cut the nation’s total job losses. But, that was one of the conditions imposed on Detroit’s carmakers by the Bush administration in December, as a condition of the loans – that they get “leaner.”

Seems like someone in Washington ought to re-think that one, since it’s antithetical to Obama’s efforts to stanch the massive nationwide job losses that run across all industries.

Okay, enough of that. Now, let’s talk cars – or, in the case of the first two entries this month, crossover vehicles and mini-vans.

Chevrolet Traverse

The Traverse is an all-new crossover vehicle rolled out by Chevy for the ‘09 model year. I know readers of my favourite magazine – this one – have been guided through the Traverse when it first hit Middle East shores, but it’s a top vehicle and we felt it was worth another spin. It surely is.

It’s a handsomely-styled entry, with generous equipment levels, and, as is typical of the better crossovers, it gives buyers some of the cargo-hauling capacity and options offered by larger SUVs, but with a smoother ride than the ones you get in the big boys - not to mention better fuel economy. The Traverse borrows some of its styling cues from the ’08 Chevy Malibu, with nice attention to detail and the prominent front-end appearance common in today’s generation of Chevy vehicles.

The exterior design is marked by chrome-ringed grille inserts, optional projector-beam headlamps and large wheel-and-tire combinations. The overhangs are relatively minor, which serves to visually convey the impression of a smaller vehicle. The unitised body structure allows for flowing, wraparound fascias. The rear spoiler is integrated over the liftgate window , and the roof rails heighten the vehicle’s aerodynamic lines. The Traverse comes in three trim levels - LS, LT and LTZ – and can be had with either an FWD or AWD configuration.

The Traverse is powered by a 3.6L engine with direct injection technology, which allowed it to deliver the kind of power typically generated by V-8s - 288 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque with dual exhaust, and 281 hp 266 lb.-ft. of torque with the single exhaust.

The direct injection system sprays fuel directly into the engine cylinder, where it mixes with air. Ultimately, that translates to stronger engine performance and efficiency, since less fuel is required to produce the same amount of horsepower - especially at typical cruising speeds – generally delivered by a standard, port-injection system. Cold-start emissions are also reduced via the use of a unique piston design. The 3.6L engine is hitched to the Hydra-Matic 6T75 six-speed automatic transmission, with clutch-to-clutch shift operation for front- and all-wheel-drive vehicles. And the optional AWD system plants the vehicle more firmly on wet roads by monitoring and managing the way that torque is distributed between the front and rear axles. Driver input is not needed - the system automatically decides how much torque to deliver to the wheels that have the best traction at the moment.

The 288 ponies on my test model delivered more than enough oomph – whether I was merging onto the freeway or navigating curvy roads out in the wooded exurbs of Detroit. That it handled crisply on those curves is also thanks to the taut suspension, marked by a MacPherson strut design in front that uses a direct-acting stabilizer bar and aluminum knuckles. The rear suspension uses a compact “H” design, with an isolated mounting system to reduce noise and vibration. Of course, also contributing to the responsive handling is the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system that comes standard.

Braking power and response were also solid, due to the four-wheel disc brakes with standard ABS and the Hydraulic Brake Boost (HBB) and Panic Brake Assist (PBA) features. Inside the cabin, the dual-cockpit instrument panel is mounted in a “low and away” position that improves the driver’s view of the road. Seating capacity / configurations are a big selling point for crossovers, and the Traverse’s interior can arranged so that it can seat seven or eight adults - with two front bucket seats and either a 60/40-split second-row bench (which seats three passengers) or two second-row captain’s chairs, plus a 60/40-split third-row bench seat.

On the safety front, the Traverse utilises a 360-degree safety system to help protect passengers before, during and after a crash, including new anchor pretensioners and pelvic-thorax seat-mounted side air bags. The vehicle has a wide stance and lower center of gravity, to decrease the incidence of rollovers. The Traverse is also equipped with GM’s rollover-sensing system, which activates the head curtain side-impact air bags and safety belt pretensioners if it senses that a rollover is imminent.

Other Traverse features I liked were the second-row Smart Slide seat feature, for easy access to the third-row seats; rear-seat entertainment system with second-row controls; OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation and Direction Download; eNav (with navigation system); XM Satellite Radio including NavTraffic real-time traffic reports; Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity; rear ultrasonic parking assist and the rearview camera.

Although the US car-buying public was clamoring for smaller, fuel-efficient econo-boxes when gas prices were in the $3 or $4-per-gallon range, the drop to the $1.75-to-$2-per-gallon range in recent months has made SUVs, trucks, crossovers and mini-vans more appealing again, due to their utility.

So, industry-wide sales slump aside, this seems to be a good time for Chevy to have rolled out a fairly good-sized vehicle. And, it’s overall quality suggests that it will be a popular addition to the stable once the economy recovers and shoppers start buying again. It’s also the sort of vehicle destined to make major inroads on the market in the Middle East.

Chrysler Town & Country

Speaking of larger vehicles: Where did the time go? Hard to believe that the 2009 model year represents the 25th anniversary of Chrysler’s unveiling of the industry’s very first mini-van. The company is celebrating by adding a bevy of new features to the ‘09 Town & Country, including some mini-van safety-feature firsts - Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path advanced safety systems. Other new safety features in the ‘09 are SmartBeam headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.

And, in the comfort-and-convenience realm, Cryco has used the ‘09 model to roll out another new feature that is exclusive to the minivan segment - the Swivel ’n Go seating group. Swivel ’n Go consists of second-row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third row; a removable table (for lunches, homework, a card game, etc.) that can be installed between the two rows; in-floor covered storage bins and third-row seats that can be folded into the floor - creating more storage space for suitcases, fishing tackle and such

Chrysler is boasting that this is the most flexible seating system in the minivan segment, and it come standard on all Chrysler Town & Country models.

And, also in keeping with the previous observation about fuel efficiency, the ‘09 Town & Country boasts a rating of 17 city / 25 highway mpg, which is pretty fair for a vehicle as big as a minivan.

The Town & Country comes in three trim levels – the LX, Touring and Limited, plus a special 25th Anniversary Edition that offers a long list of premium-line features as standard equipment.

The ‘09 Town & Country’s exterior design is marked by clean, uncluttered body lines, and the styling borrows a bit from the Chrysler 300 – with a similar proportion of body-to-glass, basic wheel flares, more streamlined pillars and sparkly chrome accents like the belt molding, mirror cap, light bar and door handles. The signature front end is centered by the Chrysler winged badge and quad headlamps.

If you’re in the market for a mini, the ‘09 Chrysler Town & Country offers three different engines, depending on which trim level you choose: a 4.0-litre 251-hp V-6; a 3.3-litre 175-hp V-6 and a 3.8-liter 197-hp V-6. They’re mated to a six-speed automatic trans.

The suspension is sturdy, and includes a twist-beam rear axle with coil springs for increased stability. I tested the LX model, with the 3.3-L 175-hp V8, and it moved briskly in all situations, and delivered a clean, solid ride. And steering responsiveness was A-1.

The T&C has a stylish, contempo-looking cabin, combining satin finishes with either Elm Burl or Medrona Burl wood and leather trim. As a higher-end mini, the T&C again delivers a plush, comfy interior. I liked interior features such as the minivan-first dual Halo lighting for rear passengers, second- and third-row sunshades, removable, rechargeable flashlight in the rear cargo area and a D-pillar-mounted power liftgate button.

Integrated child booster seats are available as part of the Swivel ’n Go system - placing children in the adult-belted zone, while also increasing their visibility.

These days, high-line minis know they have to offer a bevy of rear-seat entertainment options for those fidgety kids, and the T&C is loaded with them - a DVD system with third-row swivel monitor; SIRIUS Backseat TV satellite streaming video; SIRIUS Satellite Radio; dual A/V jacks with a 115-volt power inverter and a 30-gigabyte hard drive that can hold 6,700 songs. And, if you put the vehicle in Park, you can enjoy front-row movie playback and an audio jack for MP3 players.

An iPod interface is now included with the available uconnect phone, and a Power Convenience Group that includes power sliding doors, power liftgate and power driver’s seat with lumbar is optional on the LX model.

The aforementioned Blind Spot Monitoring System (BSM) detects unseen vehicles that might be a hazard when changing lanes, and the Rear Cross Path System (RCP) warns of any oncoming vehicles when the T&C is backing up. Both systems employ super--wideband radar sensors that warn the driver with an audio chime and an icon that appears on the outside mirrors.

And the also-aforementioned SmartBeam headlamps automatically heighten the brightness level of the high beams when needed, and reduce brightness if the system senses an oncoming car, in order not to “blind” the oncoming driver with your brights.

Rain-sensing wipers, meanwhile, automatically adjust the speed of the wiper to whatever pace is needed to keep the windshield clear of rain or snow.

All in all, the ’09 T&C is a great way to celebrate Cryco’s 25th anniversary of the mini – by offering the most advanced, most appealing edition of the T&C yet.

Infiniti M35

The Infiniti M35, a mid-size premium performance sedan, has been a real beauty, and a fine road machine, from the beginning, and this year Infiniti offers some new features to further enhance its rarified status.

First off, the M35 and M35x get a new, more robust engine – a VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 that cranks out 303 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. It replaces the previous 275-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. Other versions of this new plant power the ‘09 Infiniti FX35. The engine includes aluminum-alloy block and heads and electronically controlled “drive-by-wire” throttle system.

The M35 RWD also gets a new 7-speed automatic transmission, while the AWD M35x gets a 5-speed automatic job. Both transmissions feature a manual shift mode, Downshift Rev Matching and Drive Sport (DS) mode.

And I’m here to tell ya – with the new plant, this baby blows out of the blocks with heart-fluttering “whoosh!” and is a blast to navigate through the twisties when using the manual shift mode.

Helping deliver that kind of performance, of course, is the suspension, which in the M35 utilizes an independent double-wishbone design in front and multi-link independent system in the rear, along with front and rear stabilizer bars. The positioning of the larger wheels, further out on the corners, also don’t hurt when it comes time to put this sporty number through its paces.

Another key to the high-revving performance is that the M35 is built on the next-generation FM (Front Mid-ship) platform that’s also the foundation for the G37 Sedan, G37 Coupe, EX35 and FX crossover SUV. This FM platform situates the engine behind the front axle – a positioning that strikes a more precise weight balance from front to rear – which is critical to the weight transfer in situations that call for nimble handling.

When it comes to the body design, the M35 has always managed to convey both elegance and robust performance-car appeal. The body style was tweaked for the ’08 model year with a new front grille and bumpers, lower air intake, fog lamps and side sills, revised rear fenders, taillights, deck lid and a new optional rear spoiler design, and they’re still with us in the ’09.

Plus, unique front and rear bumpers, headlight color and side sills are available on the models equipped with the Sport Package.

The M35’s svelte, sexy look includes a distinctive grille and crystal-look headlight clusters, as well as a sweeping hood line. . Those who go with the Sport Package get large 18- or 19-inch wheels, low profile tires, wide track, and short overhangs that further its sporty allure. Since M35’s long wheelbase and short overhangs translate into a more spacious interior and a wider, longer look. Meanwhile, the wide front and rear tracks enhance its stability. And the use of lightweight body components – like aluminum-alloy inner and outer door panels, hood and decklid panels – contribute to its speediness.

The M35x AWD now comes with standard High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights and Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).

And the ‘09 edition continues to be the showcase for Infiniti’s advanced safety technology, including Intelligent Cruise Control and the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system. The LDP feature takes Infiniti’s Lane Departure Warning (LDW) one step up by using Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which applies minor braking pressure to the wheels on the other side of the lane you’re inadvertently floating into. This pressure further assists you in keeping the vehicle in your lane.

The new M35 also shows off such Infiniti technology as the advanced Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen; the 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive for digital music storage and playback; and the optional XM NavTraffic feature. Coming standard on the M35 are other tech-savvy features like the Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, Infiniti Information Display with 7-inch LCD, Infiniti Voice Recognition and RearView Monitor.

Inside the cabin, the instrument panel is notable for its “Fine Vision” electroluminescent gauges, “gear-like” rings on the instrument cluster meters, a large center console, unique aluminum trim surface texturing and wood trim.

The front seats can also be heated or cooled separately, and music lovers will dig the Bose Studio Surround-sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and 14 speakers - including two personal speakers mounted in the shoulders of each front seat. And the Sport Package includes a unique steering wheel and shift knob stitching, distinctive front seat designs and aluminum-trimmed pedals.

When you’re tempted to push a sporty chariot like this one, safety considerations are important, and the M35 comes with standard 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

In addition, the above-mentioned Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS) adjusts brake pressure and engine torque automatically in situations where understeer or oversteer come up – or, of course, on wet roads.

So if you like a car that boats stylish elegance, muscular performance and twinkle-toad road manners, you’ll love the Infiniti M35.