Motoring October 2008

huge doin's - $25 billion in gov't loans for the big three…

And good times for me in Avenger, Camry and Amanti

By Kevin Ransom

Detroit’s Big Three automakers were feeling a bit more flush in late September than they’ve felt in a long time, after the United States congress approved $25 billion in low-cost loans that will help them re-tool their manufacturing plants and produce more fuel-efficient cars. Initially, they had sought $50 billion, and there may be more loans coming their way in the future, but $25 billion is a good start, after a rough two years that have seen them lose more market share due to gas soaring over the $4-a-gallon mark – which hit Detroit’s carmakers hard given that, for the previous decade, their biggest sellers and most profitable vehicles had been big, gas-thirsty trucks and SUVs.

During the ‘90s and the first part of the ‘00s, Chrysler LLC was probably more reliant on those big boys than Ford Motor Company and General Motors. In order to cut costs, some of the smaller Chrysler vehicles and crossovers rolled out this decade were eliminated earlier this year, in some cases due to overlap with other models. But, until some of Chrysler’s new, more fuel-efficient small-car models come down the pipeline, they do have some comparatively smaller and mid-sized alternatives to the big bruisers that once dominated their stable.

Dodge Avenger

One mid-sized Cryco entry is the Dodge Avenger, which can be ordered either as a muscular sports sedan, or as a more fuel-efficient job, depending on what engine you choose. But even with the smaller engine, the Avenger still boasts a sporty appeal, given its windswept lines, aggressive stance and crisp handling.

Dodge Avenger

The current Avenger is instilled with Dodge’s heritage, and borrows some of its styling elements from the Dodge Charger. Starting up front, Dodge’s unique crosshair grille and striking, contemporary black-housed quad headlamps give the Avenger a fairly predatory look – as do the beefy rear shoulders, big-ass wheels and tires and an integrated, body-colored rear spoiler. The chrome-tipped dual exhaust outlets seal the deal. The Avenger comes in three trim levels – the SE, SXT and R/T, and it conveys an athletic look, thanks in part to the 108.9-inch wheelbase and a 61.8-inch track. Of course, those elements also contribute to the Avenger’s firm ride quality and lateral stability. Inside, the cabin is spacious, offering 100.5 cu. ft. of space.

But back to those engine options. The Avenger offers three - the 2.4-liter four-cylinder World Engine that comes standard in the SE and SXT; the optional Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 2.7-litre V-6 and the optional 3.5-litre V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle with Auto Stick.

For those who are interested in better gas mileage, the 2.4-litre World Engine – which utilizes dual variable-valve timing - produces 173 horsepower and 166 lb.-ft. of torque, and has a fuel economy rating of 21/30 mpg, city / hwy. The green-minded will also appreciate the Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 2.7-liter V-6 engine, which delivers 186 horsepower and 191 lb.-ft. of torque, and gets 19 / 27 mpg, city / hwy – and can run on any blend of gasoline and fuel-grade ethanol up to E85.

Those who want more engine oomph can opt for the R/T, which is powered by a 3.5-liter High Output V-6 engine that kicks out 235 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque. This plant is only slightly less fuel-efficient than the Flex Fuel plant, with a rating of 16 / 27 mpg, city / hwy. If you go with the six-speed automatic transaxle, you’ll get punchier standing-start acceleration than if you opt for the four- or five-speed transaxle, due to the higher first-gear ratio.

The differential’s increased torque capacity boosts the thrust, because it requires less torque management - it electronically limits the torque that’s available when you first punch the pedal from a dead-dig. It’s also designed so that it climbs smaller steps between ratios – which translates into a smoother and more quiet ride, since the engine speed remains more constant with each shift. Plus, the lower overall top-gear ratio helps with fuel economy at higher speeds on the freeway.

Other appealing features on the Avenger include: uconnect phone with Bluetooth technology, uconnect tunes, uconnect gps and uconnect studios; the Chill Zone – a storage compartment in the top of the instrument panel that holds up to four 12-ounce beverage cans; a heated/cooled front cup holder that helps keep cold beverages cool and hot beverages warm; heated seats and an optional premium headliner that includes light-emitting diode (LED) interior lighting with high-focus white lights that provide directional lighting in both the front and rear seats.

So, again, with the three engine choices, the Avenger is a choice Chrysler devotees can feel good about, whether they’re looking for a punchy sports-car experience or trying to “think green” by going with a more fuel-efficient choice.

Toyota Camry

Speaking of fuel efficiency, that’s one of the reasons the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling passenger car in America for 11 of the last 12 years. It’s sales in the Middle East are none too shabby either. There are other factors, of course: Toyota earned a reputation for quality a long time ago, and it has worked to maintain that quality. So, buyers keep going back to the Camry for the quality, for the durability and for the long-term value - and, of course, for the fuel economy, which has become more of a selling point the last two years, given the aforementioned spike in gas prices.

Toyota Camry

The sixth-generation Camry was introduced for the ’07 model year, and it’s been a great performer for Toyota. High-volume sedans like the Camry, the Honda Accord, the Chevy Malibu and, in years past, the old Ford Taurus, generally go with body styles that are less aggressive and less “bold” than sports cars, coupes, convertibles, etc – better to be more appealing to the greatest number of buyers. They generally count on distinctive details to set them apart from the competition, and that’s true of the Camry.

I test-drove an ’08 LE sedan in September. The ’09 edition – which hits showrooms soon – is a carryover with a few new features and minor changes. For example, what was once the base “CE” grade has been replaced by the Camry grade for ’09 –joining the So, now, the trim levels are the Camry, LE, SE, and XLE trim levels. The LE grade also features a new wheel finish for 2009. The Camry is built on a 109.3 inch wheelbase, which translates into impressive interior room, including 101.4 cubic feet of passenger space, with 38.3 inches of rear legroom. For those who want to lay out a bit more cash, Camry SE sports a more distinctive look than the base or the LE – it gets a full body kit as standard equipment, plus 17-inch aluminum wheels, a striking black honeycomb-style grille and smoked tint halogen headlamps. In the cabin, the SE is also set off by distinctive, sportier trim, a leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel and blue-colored Optitron gauges. Camry buyers will also like the 60/40 fold-down rear seats, which, when folded, offer 15 cubic feet of luggage space.

The Camry offers two engine choices. The standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers 158 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 161 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,000 rpm -- and which can be hitched to either a five-speed manual transmission or an electronically controlled five-speed automatic. (The PZEV-certified version offers 155 hp and 158 lb.-ft.) The six-speed automatic comes with a sequential mode that can be employed to shift gears manually, when you need a bit more kick. The “intelligent control” adjusts the shifting response to deliver a quicker kick-down, depending on driver input.

Optional (in the LE, SE and XLE) is the more muscular DOHC 3.5-liter V6, which cranks out 268 ponies at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. peak torque at 4,700 rpm. To boost performance and efficiency, the chain-driven camshafts employ Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (Dual VVT-i) which regulates the valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts.

My SE test model had the 2.4-litre engine, and I had no complaints about engine power in any situations where a bit more thrust was needed. Which brings us to the aforementioned fuel economy. The four-cylinder manual and automatic jobs get an EPA-estimated 21/31 mpg cty/hwy, and the V6 delivers 19/28. The Camry also offers a Hybrid version, which synergizes a four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric-drive motor to yield an estimated 33/34 mpg cty/hwy.

One of the reasons Camry continues to be so popular is the silky handling and smooth, purring ride - which it delivers thanks to the four-wheel independent suspension, with MacPherson struts in front and a dual-link strut in the rear. On all trim levels except the SE, 16-inch wheels come standard - steel on the Camry and LE trims and aluminum on the XLE and Hybrid. The sportier SE gets standard aluminum six-spoke, 17-inch wheels.

On the safety front, all models come equipped with a standard anti-lock brake system (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The latter uses sensors to detect when the car is in an “emergency braking” situation – and if the you don’t hit the brakes firmly enough to engage the anti-lock brakes, the brake-assist system applies the right amount of braking power until you do. Optional is the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with traction control (TRAC) – which controls engine power and brake force in the event that you lose traction when going into a sharp turn. Also, the front seats use Toyota's Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) seat design.

Other standard features include air conditioning with micro dust and pollen filter; power windows and door locks; color-keyed power side mirrors; cruise control; halogen headlamps with automatic on/off feature; and a six speaker 160-watt digital AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio jack. All Camry audio systems can play CDs with MP3 files.

Attractive options include a power tilt/slide moonroof; heated front seats; voice-command DVD navigation system; leather-trimmed seating; rear spoiler, and the Smart Entry and Smart Start system. So, it’s not for nothing that more Americans snap up the Camry than any other passenger car. The Camry is still on a roll, and we don’t see that ending any time soon

Kia Amanti

Kia is one of the companies benefiting from the “migration” of American buyers out of big SUVs and trucks into smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles – like the Spectra, Rio, Sedona and Rondo, all of which boast some of the best fuel-economy numbers on the road.

Kia Amanti

And I’ll be reviewing some of those in the months ahead. But I just road tested the mid-sized Kia Amanti, and it’s such a beauty, I simply must talk about it this month. The Amanti is one of the most handsome, elegant, stately-looking cars in the mid-sized segment, but is priced much lower than many similarly head-turning and well-appointed luxury vehicles its size. The Amanti remains the flagship of the Kia Motors America line-up, and it was refreshed for the 2007 model year – a refresh that yielded the eye-catching design that is still impressive today. The redesign gave it a lighter platform and modified suspension, and the interior and exterior both got some spiffy styling upgrades.

The exterior design strikes a balance between flowing body lines and sculpted corners, giving it an elegance that recalls some Euro models. The body styling is accented by standard 16-inch, nine-spoke alloy wheels and chrome accents like the front grille, door handles and body-side moldings; clear-lens halogen headlights with front projection fog lights; tinted windows; and a dual exhaust. Those who long for a more aggressive stance can order the optional 17-inch, seven-spoke wheels.

What has also captured the imagination of many mid-sized car buyers is that the ’07 redesign also included a significant power increase in the form of a new 3.8-litre all-aluminum DOHC V6 engine that delivers 264 ponies. The Amanti’s acceleration was impressive indeed, whether I was out on the highway, cruising country roads or having to punch the pedal in passing situations.

The Amanti rides on a unibody frame that’s more than 250 pounds lighter than the previous generation’s – a weight loss that made the Amtni speedier and more nimble, with admirable road manners. To that end, there is also the five-speed gated automatic transmission with Sportmatic™ shift, which allows the Amanti to put out more power than V6 engines in many similar-sized entries. And a sweet, soothing ride is the result of the fully independent suspension, which features gas pressurized shocks, a front double wishbone and rear multi-link setup – all of which are usually the province of higher-priced luxo sedans.

The interior is just as handsome as the outside, with gleaming chrome trim, cushy leather, smart-looking wood accents and bright metal-finish door sill plates. For extra comfort, the Amanti offers an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and four-way power adjustable front passenger’s seat. Plus, the leather-wrapped steering wheel gives you access to ergonomically-situated audio-control and cruise control buttons. High-end audio buffs will not be disappointed by the punchy sound system and six speakers. Other laudable standard features include dual zone automatic temperature control, power front seats and power windows with heated outside mirrors If you really want to get fancy, the optional Leather Package adds leather seat trim, heated front seats with individual driver and passenger settings, power heated outside mirrors with an auto tilt down feature, two memory settings for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors – plus the Infinity AM/FM/six-disc in-dash CD stereo with nine Infinity speakers. On top of that, the optional Premium Package comes with provides black leather seats, brushed-aluminum interior trim, power adjustable pedals and 17-inch, seven-spoke chrome wheels.

The Amanti also offers interior space to spare, due in part to the fact that it rides on a 110.2-inch wheelbase and is 58.5 inches tall. That means there’s enough room to comfortably seat five adults. Headroom is a 40 inches in front, 38.2 inches in the rear.

So if you’re a hat person, you can freely climb in and out without getting your fedora knocked off. Legroom is 44.5 inches and 36.8 inches, front and rear, respectively, and the total passenger space is a spacious 106 cubic feet.      
      
For those who like to hit the links and play a foursome, the 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space is enough room for up to four sets of golf clubs.  And large or bulky items are easier to load due to the fact that the trunk lid opens at a high angle – with the help of gas-strut lifters.  An optional cargo net allows you to tie down lighter items that might bounce around if you’re traversing bumpy roads.    

The Amanti also gets high marks for it safety features, with dual front advanced airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags – not to mention four-wheel anti-lock brakes; front active headrests; anti-pinch windows; front and rear three-point seatbelts; front seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters; Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH); engine immobilizer; and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).And those who order the optional Electronic Stability Control Package also get Electronic stability control (ESC), traction control (TCS) and brake assist (BAS).

In short, of all the vehicles I road-tested over the summer, the Amanti was one of my favorites. Highly recommended.