VehicleVoice News

2011 Ford Explorer Raises XSUV Bar - Explorer Reinvented

2010-07-26T17:54:46Z

The 2011 Ford Explorer is the latest iteration of the Ford Explorer and arguably one of the most important. In many ways the Explorer launched the popular use sport utility vehicle market in the USA when it introduced the 4-door Explorer in 1991. Previously, 4-door SUVs had been either Jeep Cherokees, the occasional Japanese entry and Chevrolet/GMC Suburbans. With the introduction of the Explorer the growth in the SUV market skyrocketed until almost one in four vehicles sold in the USA was an SUV of one type or another. In its heyday, Explorer was counted among the top five best selling vehicles in the USA and in its top year sold almost 450,000 units.

Until the new Explorer, the Explorer had been very much a two box SUV designed to move five (and later seven) people comfortably. While Explorer was an "SUV" it was a pretty mild one. It was known for being easy to live with but not for its prowess off-road. Ford never pretended the Explorer had the off-road chops of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.

EcoBoost 4-Cylinder OPTIONAL Powertrain The base engine for the Explorer is the 3.5L V6 with 290-horsepower. This engine is expected to be in 75% of Explorers sold. The extra cost optional powertrain is the 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine with 237-horsepower. This is an unusual pricing strategy for any manufacturer - giving LESS FOR MORE. Of course, Ford will position the EcoBoost 4 as the high technology, high fuel economy alternative that is worth more. Well, we'll be watching this one closely because Americans usually don't buy less for more and many still believe the adage "There is no replacement for displacement."

]]> Styling Now Distinctive in a Good Way The new Explorer has, by far, the most distinctive styling of all Explorers. It does have Explorer cues, but also cues from the Ford Taurus. Its predecessors were evolutionary from the first generation almost to a fault. The new Explorer breaks the mold and its Taurus-esque cues are very evident.

Explorer is based on the Ford D4 Platform (Flex and MKT and also the D3 Platform - Taurus and MKS). Built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant, Explorer probably is responsible for filling half the plant. So Ford clearly expects the Explorer to sell 100,000 or more well above the 52,000 it sold in 2009. Capacity for its line is probably 140,000 or 150,000 units.

Explorer a REAL SUV The basics of the new Explorer are fundamental to the D4 Platform adjusted for "SUV". Both the Flex and MKT are crossover SUVs (XSUVs in AutoPacific parlance). The Explorer meets all of Fords SUV product acceptance specifications so Explorer should be much more capable off-road. Don't know if it will run with the Grand Cherokee or not, but it will be much more capable than Ford's XSUVs.

Explorer Basics - Based on Front Wheel Drive Platform with I4 or V6 The Explorer is based on a front wheel drive platform. Ford expects about half of Explorers to have all wheel drive. About 25% of the Explorer sales are expected to have its all new extra cost 2.0L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that produces 237-horsepower and 250 lb ft of torque. This single turbocharged, gasoline direct injection 4-cylinder gets 4-cylinder fuel economy (30% better than the outgoing Explorer) and provides V6 performance. All wheel drive is not available with the 4-cylinder. The 3.5L V6 on 75% of the Explorer has 290-horsepower and 253 lb ft of torque. The 3.5L is expected to get 20% better fuel economy than the outgoing 4.0L V6 and 32% better than the V8.

An obvious question (other than the EcoBoost 4-cylinder pricing) is why doesn't the Explorer offer the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (355-horsepower) offered in the other D3 and D4 Platform vehicles? Why does a wimpy Flex XSUV get to have the monster engine and the Explorer full SUV only get the lower output powerplants? We'll search for the answer.

MyFordTouch - Leads Feature Laden Explorer Ford is doing quite a bit to pitch its excellent MyFordTouch system. A combination of telematics/infotainment/communications/entertainment/diagnostics, MyFordTouch with Media Hub and SYNC is probably the industry's state-of-the-art driver interface system to date. Now finally using conversational voice commands, MyFordTouch promises to improve the convenience and enjoyment of Explorer's drivers and passengers. Key to the implementation of MyFordTouch was to make the feature simpler, safer and smarter. It looks like Ford has achieved that objective. MyFordTouch is a $1,000 option on the Explorer. To add full OEM Navigation to that package is another $795.
While MyFordTouch will get all the ink, Explorer has all the optional technology features found on the D3 and D4 platform vehicles. Showing that the manufacturer is listening to what its customers want, Explorer has steering-mounted five-way and secondary audio controls standard. AutoPacific research has shown steering wheel controls are at the top of consumers want lists. Cruise control is standard as are power windows and locks with keyless entry remote. Explorer will be available with adaptive cruise control, collision warning, Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert and active park assist.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe - Flash and Dash

2010-07-20T16:00:01Z

We met up with the Cadillac CTS Coupe crew at Dogpatch Studios in the Dogpatch area of San Francisco. Grabbed a CTS Wagon and headed to the Carneros Inn in Napa Valley where we tag teamed with a CTS Coupe that was the feature of this drive evaluation. Cadillac lodged the media at the Bardessono Hotel in Yountville. Environmentally pure, the Bardessono is an experience in itself.

The CTS Coupe is the third of the three bodystyles Cadillac plans for the CTS. The first was the sedan introduced in 2008 followed by the European-inspired wagon in 2009 and now the Coupe in 2010.

Don Butler, Vice President of Cadillac Marketing took the gathered press through where Cadillac is and where Cadillac plans to be in the future. Bold, product-oriented positioning will have Cadillac going head-to-head against Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Lexus was added as an afterthought.

Cadillac had set up a flurry of identical specification CTS Coupes for this group of journalists and analysts to drive through the hills surrounding Napa Valley. Some of the most picturesque and challenging roads in the country put the CTS Coupes to the test.

]]> Dedication to Concept Yields Compromised Car The Coupe is loyal to the Coupe concept shown at auto shows a few years back. It has a roof that is 2-inches lower than the sedan. The windshield is 2-degrees faster. The frameless doors are actuated by switches rather than a handle. The backlite is extremely fast resulting in a truncated decklid that ends in a protruding CHMSL. The trapezoidal chrome exhaust tips are center mounted and flow through the rear fascia. The only sheetmetal carried-over from the sedan is in front of the A-Pillar. Even the A-Pillar is unique due to the faster windshield. While laudable, this devotion to the design intent of the show car was expensive to execute and resulted in a somewhat compromised car.

I am the first one to admit that I am first and foremost a four-door guy, so coupes aren't my thing. But that's OK, I can still appreciate them. The CTS Coupe is victim to its styling like all coupes are. They are tougher to get into and out of. They are tougher to see out of. They have tiny rear seats and no rear seat headroom. It seems like coupe designers all assume that the top of a person's head has been lopped off. But these are sacrifices people are willing to make for style.

High Style Fashion Statement May be Short Lived Since a high style coupe like the CTS Coupe is really a fashion statement the manufacturer has to be aware that it will have a relatively short life where it is really popular. This usually lasts 18-months but rarely more than 24-months.

Interior Competitive with Best Germans and Japanese The interior of the Coupe is very nicely finished. Benefiting from the upgrades to the CTS interior the CTS Coupe is very competitive with German and Japanese luxury sport coupes. It does not have to apologize to the Audi A5, BMW 3-Series Coupe (much smaller) or the Mercedes E-Class Coupe. The improved material selection compared with the first generation CTS is dramatic.

Ergonomically, the instrument panel is excellent. Features are easy to understand and use. Gauges are easy to read. The navigation screen that floats up from the instrument panel is relatively large and easy to read. Overall, very nicely done.

Bose Audio System Among the Best Heidi Grissom, Senior Marketing Programs Manager for Bose Corporation provided demonstrations of the Bose audio in the CTS Coupe. While I am seldom allowed to crank up the audio past "3" or "4", Heidi's demonstration showed how powerful and clear a topnotch audio system can be in a car. Standard in the CTS line, AutoPacific research shows more and more buyers are demanding high quality audio systems with known brand names. Cadillac understands.

Be Sure and Get the Right Suspension Each Coupe was equipped with the 3.6L Gasoline Direct Injection V6 having 304-horsepower for output. The engine was great. In fact the entire car was great for those who really like coupes except... each car had the FE3 suspension set-up. Probably for these roads, the FE3 was ideal if you were a really aggressive driver. This firm suspension was bone jarring. Totally capable with summer tires, it was harsh and uncomfortable. It probably let the drivers who really wanted to try and go fast get an extra couple of tenths out of the car, but for a typical driver something a bit tamer would be appropriate. For 2011 Cadillac is adding an FE5 suspension setup which adds unique suspension calibrations with nineteen inch wheels and all weather tires. This may be the optimum set up for the car.

Ideal Vehicle Awards: Identifying Vehicles that Measure Up to Expectations

2010-07-13T21:53:51Z

Each year AutoPacific surveys new car and light truck acquirers via mail and Internet about their new vehicle in order to learn more about their purchase experience, attribute importance and satisfaction, lifestyle, preferences, vehicle use, personal characteristics, desired features and more. The Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on scores developed using results from a part of this survey that focuses on the consumers desire to change their vehicle if given the opportunity. Respondents rate 15 attributes indicating whether they want them to be changed (larger, smaller, more or less) or not changed (stay the same) after having driven their vehicle for 90 days. The attributes all pertain directly to the product itself.

The Difference: IVAs quantitatively gauge how closely a vehicle matches an owner's expectations. An IVA is earned by those automakers that best understand their customers and are able to create the vehicle these customers demand - their ideal vehicle.

The Ideal Vehicle Awards are just one of three awards given by AutoPacific throughout the year. Each year AutoPacific analyzes the results of our New Vehicle Satisfaction Survey and identifies the top performing vehicles. These are owners talking. And who better to evaluate a vehicle than the owners themselves?

An "ideal" is defined as conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence. In the 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards, announced today by automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific, owners rate their new vehicles by how closely they come to their ideal. "After owning and operating a vehicle for some time, consumers often identity shortcomings, and ideas about what they would like to change about their vehicle," says George Peterson, President of AutoPacific. "The IVAs are based on owners' ratings of their new 2010 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes ranging from power and acceleration to interior storage. The cars or trucks that owners would change the least are the most ideal."

"In today's vehicle market, quality is expected, and car buyers take many factors into consideration - styling, safety features, fuel economy and more," says Peterson. "IVA winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles. Shoppers can use the IVAs as a benchmark for vehicles that are designed and built with customers in mind."

2010 Lincoln MKZ wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Luxury Mid-Size Car: This year's Luxury Mid-Size Car segment winner is the Lincoln MKZ beating out the competition with a strong performance in handling and safety categories. The MKZ also received impressive scores in exterior size, ride, and seat firmness.

The Ford F-150 won AutoPacific's 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award for Large Light Duty Pickup.

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Ford's top selling F-150 scored particularly well with respect to exterior size, passenger room, handling, and safety features. It should be noted that the F-150 also won AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Large Light Duty Pickup.

The Ford F-250 won AutoPacific's 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award for Heavy Duty Pickup.

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

The F-250 was especially highly rated for exterior size, visibility, passenger room and handling. Perhaps these results should not be surprising, as Ford dominates the Heavy Duty Pickup segment in terms of both retail and fleet sales.

The Honda Ridgeline won AutoPacific's 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award for Compact Pickup.

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

The Ridgeline rated highly with respect to exterior size, interior lighting, passenger room, exterior styling and interior storage. The Ridgeline also won AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Compact Pickup.

2010 Ford Fusion wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Premium Mid-Size Car: The Ford Fusion is this years winner in the Premium Mid-Size Car segment. The Fusion was particularly good at beating out a long list of competitors in a saturated segment with high marks for exterior size and passenger room. Fusion was also top rated in terms of ride and handling.

2010 Suzuki Kizashi wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Mid-Size Car: The all-new Suzuki Kizashi has been burning up the AutoPacific charts since it's launch. It won the 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award and now collects a 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award. Owners are elated with this vehicle! Some of the top rated attributes include: safety features, handling, exterior size, exterior styling, cargo space and interior lighting.

2010 Volkswagen GTI wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Premium Compact Car: The 2010 VW GTI resonates with owners! Not only did it win a 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award but it also managed to win an Ideal Vehicle Award in the Premium Compact Car segment. The original fun to drive hatchback managed to have 98% of owners say that they want the same exterior size as now. Talk about hitting the mark. The vast majority of owners also say they want the same passenger room, seat firmness, ingress/egress, safety, handling, and cargo space as now. Sounds like this IS 'Das Auto' for the Premium Compact Car segment...

2010 Volkswagen Golf wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Compact Car: The VW Golf win the 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Compact Car segment. Receiving top marks from owners for safety, exterior size and passenger room. The Golf also scored very well for handling, seat firmness and interior lighting.

The Land Rover Range Rover won AutoPacific's 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award for Luxury SUV.

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

The Range Rover was also the overall winner, with the top score for any 2010 vehicle, and scored particularly well for exterior size, interior lighting, visibility, handling, ride and power/acceleration. Well done, Range Rover, for a well deserved Luxury SUV victory.

2010 Honda Fit wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Economy Car: Great things can come in small packages! The Honda Fit is proof positive that owners in the Economy Car segment don't have to feel relegated to the penalty box. After winning the 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award it was not too surprising that owners would elevate it back up to the top of its class for a 2010 IVA award. Owners tout the Fits exterior size and styling along with its safety and ingress/egress.

2010 Porsche Cayman wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Sports Car: Porsche took over the first three spots in the Ideal Vehicle Awards Sports Car Segment, but it was the Porsche Cayman that owners found to be the overall winner. This mid-engine wonder convinced 100% of the owners surveyed that Porsche engineers could not improve upon the handling of the Cayman. Other ratings almost as high include exterior size and styling, ride and safety.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro wins AutoPacific 2010 Ideal Vehicle Award

2010-07-13T17:00:00Z

Sporty Car: The all-new Chevrolet Camaro took top honors in the 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards beating out all other rivals in the Sporty Car segment. This win comes on the heels of a 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award win. Owners gave high marks for exterior size and styling along with the vehicles ride and handling.