Hyundai Sonata 2009, capable d’en surprendre

This article is not available in English. La Sonata fait partie du paysage automobile depuis déjà vingt ans. Où étiez-vous et que faisiez-vous en 1988? Chose probablement assez certaine, si vous étiez sur le point d’acheter une berline intermédiaire, la Hyundai ne figurait pas sur la liste de vos premières considérations. Ah, comme les temps changent! Aujourd’hui, si vous magasinez une nouvelle voiture, notamment une berline, il est fort à parier que la Sonata figure bien haut sur votre liste d’achat potentiel.De toute évidence, c’est le cas pas mal partout au pays. Au Canada, Hyundai n’a jamais fait aussi bonne figure en 25 ans. Le constructeur coréen vient d’atteindre une part de marché frôlant les 5% (4,8% pour être exact). Pensez-y, au milieu de tous ces véhicules de marque GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota et Mazda, un véhicule écoulé sur vingt provient de chez Hyundai. C’est quelque chose! Par ailleurs, pour prouver à quel point Hyundai est sur la bonne voie, sachez que le constructeur a vendu plus de voitures en avril dernier que Ford et Chrysler. Le total des ventes est en hausse de 30% pour le mois d’avril 2008 par rapport au mois d’avril 2007, et le constructeur a livré son millionième véhicule le 31 mars dernier. Des questions?

Tout comme pour le quatre cylindres, les nouveaux muscles du V6 sont appréciables. Malheureusement, c’est la transmission qui vient ralentir les ardeurs des moteurs. Évidemment plus axée sur la conduite quotidienne, la boîte automatique n’aime pas se faire pousser. Que ce soit en mode manuel ou automatique, les changements de rapports sont lents et le rétrogradage parfois hésitant. Bon, si l’on conduit normalement et veut tirer avantage de la consommation réduite des moteurs, les boîtes sont tout à fait correctes. Par contre, si vous avez opté pour le modèle GL-Sport (quatre ou six cylindres) parce que vous préférez ajouter un peu de piquant à vos déplacements habituels, vous allez devoir vivre avec la même transmission.

L’ensemble Sport comprend entre autres une suspension à calibration sport, des barres stabilisatrices plus épaisses et des jantes de 17 pouces avec pneus de performance toutes saisons P215/55R17 à flancs plus rigides. Cette Sonata est en fait la Sonata qui a le meilleur comportement routier de tous les temps. Tous les modèles 2009 reçoivent une suspension revue qui améliore grandement le confort de roulement ainsi que la tenue de route. Mais la Sport me laisse un peu perplexe. Hyundai a fait un effort raisonnable pour rehausser l’apparence et les aptitudes routières de la voiture, mais elle n’est pas à point. Deux suggestions si je peux me permettre. Premièrement, je conseille une reprogrammation du module de commande de la transmission pour accélérer les changements de rapport. Une légère révision de toutes les transmissions ne ferait pas de tort non plus, mais bon. Deuxièmement, je suggère de ne plus utiliser les jantes de 17 pouces de l’ancienne Sonata. Vous voyez, les roues de cette version proviennent des GLS et Limited 2006-08 et vieillissent inutilement la voiture.

Hyundai est réputé pour en offrir beaucoup pour l’argent de ses clients. En plus d’avoir partiellement redessiné la voiture et apporté des améliorations sur le plan mécanique, les Sonata 2009 sont moins coûteuses au détail qu’en 2008 en plus d’offrir plus d’équipement de série, dont les freins ABS. Si une guerre devait éclater dans ce segment, je crois que c’est déjà fait. Si les transmissions peuvent être recalibrées et les prix maintenus jusqu’à la refonte majeure prévue pour 2011, la Sonata a tout à offrir à au moins 90% de la clientèle de berlines intermédiaires, incluant la fiabilité.

New Mazda 6

The next-generation Mazda6 is zooming right into 2009, and looks primed and ready to take on all comers in the ever-evescalating war of midsize sedans.Mazda says that the sporty-looking second-generation Mazda6 was engineered specifically with the North American market in mind. For instance, it will have a focus on larger dimensions both inside and out, as well as more power coming from both engine choices. Mazda says this midsize sedan will “take on the very best cars from Asia, Europe and North America.”

A new Mazda-designed 2.5-litre 4-cylinder engine will be available in the Mazda6, as well as a 3.7-liter V6 - the same one used by the 2008 CX-9. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with manual-shift mode (2.5-liter engine), or a six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode (3.7-liter V6).

Though many current midsize cars are available in coupe form, the 2009 Mazda6 will only be available as a four-door model. Suspension will be all-independent, with four-wheel disc brakes and ABS coming standard. Mazda also points out that the automaker’s new sedan will have ‘unparalleled reductions’ in road noise and vibrations.

Two trim levels will be available - GS and GT - and both will be available with either engine.

Built in Flat Rock, Michigan, the new Mazda6 will go on sale in the summer of 2008.

Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 2008, enfin en sol Canadien.

The average Canadian has likely never heard of what many diehards lovingly call an “Evo,” but now that Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution series is finally and officially here, it’s just a matter of time before word gets around!

The Evo has been sold Japan, Australia and other Asian markets for many years, but never in Canada.

The previous nine high-performance Evo editions were direct descendants of the original 1981 Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo rally car and launched into production in 1992 to fulfill homologation rules for World Rally Championship group “A” competition.

Americans were allowed into the party five years ago when the first U.S.-spec Evo VIII went on sale there. The U.K. began importing a few years before that. We’ve been on the outside looking in ever since, with fingers crossed. The frontal impact area had been the main barrier to importing it north of the border. On previous generations the Evo’s large, front-mounted intercooler came at the expense of a proper-size crumple zone. As a result, it was deemed unsafe for public roads.

Fortunately, the Lancer’s new performance-engineered global architecture means this is no longer the case. It’s also being used in the new Outlander SUV. Since the Detroit and Montreal auto shows, Mitsubishi claims to have amassed 150 deposits in excess of $5,000 or more for new Evos.

Based on the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer models (DE, ES, SE and GTS) launched last summer, the first shipments of the 600 rally-bred Evolution X models allotted for Canada began arriving mid-January 2008. While they do share the same basic DNA and model underpinnings, the Evo is a lot more powerful and fun to drive. Not to diminish the importance of these lower-priced Lancers and what they’re capable of, but the Evo is a super-pumped-up version of the Lancer.

Powering this 10th edition Evo is a brand new engine codenamed 4B11. Gone is the proven 4G63 powerplant that’s graced the engine bays of many previous Evos as well as Eclipses reliably for many years. Mitsubishi’s Innovative Valve-timing Electronic Control system (MIVEC) sticks around on the new all-aluminum intercooled 2.0-litre turbo inline-four. The new engine is 26.5 pounds lighter than its predecessor and slightly more powerful, making a hair over 290 hp, with 300 lb.-ft. of torque peaking just above 4,000 rpm.

Additional standard features on the $41,498, entry-level Evo GSR include a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission, steering-wheel accessible Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, 18-inch Enkei cast aluminum wheels, Yokohama Advan Sport tires, Brembo brakes, Recaro seats, dual exhaust, seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), automatic climate control, power windows/mirrors, cruise, fog lights, aluminum pedals and a GTS-style rear spoiler.

With a 59/41 (front/rear) weight distribution, a standard aluminum hood, roof and front fenders ensure the 1,375-kg performance halo’s centre of gravity is lower and more complaint than standard Lancers. There are no options for the GSR. Instead, Evo pricing and specs is dictated by which trim you want.

An Evolution MR edition is due out in a few months for $47,495. In addition to more convenience and entertainment features, I’m chomping at the bit to try out the six-speed Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST) with paddle shifters that can only be obtained on this model. MR also has forged alloy wheels by BBS, Brembo brakes with two-piece front rotors, uprated suspension bits, leather and more.

A MR Premium model will add a power sunroof, Rockford Fosgate premium audio, Sirius satellite radio, hard disk drive audio/navigation system with seven-inch LCD screen, and hands-free Bluetooth and steering wheel audio controls for an additional four grand; while a detuned RalliArt edition will bring the number of Lancer trims to eight in 2009.

By comparison, the 2008 Subaru WRX STi sells for $44,995 and comes with navi and I.C.E. goodies as standard. Subaru’s 2.5-litre horizontal boxer four makes 305 hp and 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

I have not driven a 2008 STi and my time with the Evo IX (Euro-spec) is limited to less than an hour, so it’s hard to make direct comparisons. But, where the previous-gen STi and Evo are a bit raw, brutish or hard-edged, the all-new Evolution GSR is a lot more controllable. It’s much better-looking too! Despite lacking some bells and whistles, the Evolution GSR (as seen here) is not for the average Lancer buyer.

Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (MMSC) is calling on all performance-oriented driving enthusiasts with this enticing answer to Subaru’s STi. To help show the wait has been worth it, MMSC recently sent several waves of Canadian journalists to test drive the GSR on southern California’s twisty canyon roads of and the Streets of Willow Springs test rack near Edwards Air Force Base.

Of course, these roads aren’t very indicative of what we have around here; however, they truly separate the men from the boys so to speak. My route starts at the base of Topanga Canyon Road and heads up and away from the Pacific Coast Highway.

The GSR is immediately easy to drive. Pedals could be a bit closer together, but the clutch is firm and responsive and the shifter slides into place effortlessly. Steering is light and precise and you can practically sense the car wants to go faster in every corner.

Throttle response form the 4B11 is excellent and it feels like you’re being shot into the next corner by a high calibre rifle. While the turbo pulls hard from just below 3,000 rpm, it doesn’t jerk the car or make it unstable when it kicks in. Rather, it bolsters the linear power delivery nicely and disguises any turbo lag quite well. First to fourth gears are fairly close together and the car has very little rolling resistance.

Heading northeast on some highways and cruising at 120 km/h, the tachometer settles in around 3,800 rpm in top gear as engine noise starts overwhelming the cabin. While going this fast is illegal in most places, the GSR car could certainly benefit from a sixth gear.

While high-speed cruising for any extended period could possibly damage one’s ears, the five-speed’s strengths start to become more obvious shortly after arriving at the base of Little Tujunga Road. If the hairs on my neck had known of the driving pleasures that lay ahead they’d have been standing on end because, over the next 50 or 60 miles of this winding mountainous tract, Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control system (S-AWC) as well as my own nerves were put to the test.

Besides ABS with EBD, S-AWC uses a number of different active technologies to ensure the car’s attitude stays in check (and on the road). The Evo’s active centre differential (ACD), for instance, manages torque from front to rear while active yaw control (AYC) sends the proper inputs to the left and right. Active stability control (ASC) keeps the car from spinning out while exiting cornering and I found the system to be quite transparent. As in, I barely noticed it.

The new Evo is wider and heavier than previous versions, but it has not given up a thing in terms of performance. In fact, this version has been improved upon in practically every area from steering response to controllability and traction to stability. The Brembo brakes with one-piece front rotors are fantastic (the MR versions will be even better) and they were still going strong after hours.

At the track, the five-speed goes from chump to champ and the GSR does everything you tell it to. Even with the ASC turned on, I was the sole driver to get the GSR’s back end a bit loose while exiting the tight turn two. The car is very predictable and, on the tight little autocross course MMSC had set up for us nearby, I put into a Scandinavian flick (deliberate oversteer or drifting around a corner) on my first attempt with minimal effort.

On or off the track, the new 2008 Evo GSR should resonate with customers on two fronts. One is the technical or performance side, which the car has plenty of. The other is its design – its aggressive stance is in line with expectations. I think the MR edition will do particularly well in Canada, however, the pent up demand for the Evolution here will help propel sales of the Lancer GTS above expectations.

Mitsubishi and Subaru Canada are set to do battle this year as both car makers will support several Canadian rally teams. And, a heated rivalry between these famous rally icons is just what the sport needs.

Fact file2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR

MSRP range: $41,498-$51,498

Freight and PDI: $1,495

Configuration: Front engine, all wheel drive

Engine/Transmission: Turbo 2.0L 4-cyl/5-spd manual

Horsepower: 291 @ 6,500 rpm

Torque: 300 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm

Fuel required: 59 litres, premium

Warranties: Basic – 5 yrs/100,000 km; Powertrain – 10 yrs/160,000 km

Report cardFuel efficiency: 3.5

Value for the $: 3.5

Styling: 4.5

Comfort: 3.5

Performance: 4.5

Overall: 4/5

Competition: Audi S4, BMW M3, Infiniti G35/37, Subaru WRX STi

Strengths: Well-rounded performance oriented package; S-AWC system is great!; 300 lb.-ft. from a 2.0-litre turbo (what more could you want?)

Weaknesses: No real cruising gear; interior feels a bit cheap; lack of options

Volks Jetta: The fair tale continues

Once upon a time, there existed a very good German automobile that was accessible to all peoples of the world. It was named Beetle, and it was the best selling car in the world for some four decades.

Its diminutive exterior camouflaged a remarkably roomy interior, partly due to mounting the wheels outside the bodywork, and allowed the car to go just about anywhere on earth, regardless of path width.

It was a happy little car with a very small rear-mounted engine that could handle the dirtiest of fuel without complaint, and when it was loaded up with people, it had remarkable traction from its rear wheels, but very light steering.

But the world was changing, so Beetle’s maker (who went by the very descriptive name of Volkswagen) decided to offer a more “acceptable” car for the masses in the form of a front-engined, front-wheel-drive hatchback called Golf. Like the swan into which the ugly duckling matured, Golf was about the same size as the aging Beetle but had the versatility of a boxy design, albeit a smidgen less interior comfort for passengers, and the attractiveness of updated engineering.

Alas, in North America, the Golf was not the charming prince Volkswagen expected to awaken sales from their princess-like slumber in the largest market in the world. Even a cute bunny-rabbit name (because Americans considered Golf a diversion, not a conveyance) couldn’t get Americans to consider purchasing it.

So in 1980, Volkswagen created a four-door sedan out of Golf and called it Jetta (Bora, Atlantic, Fox, Vento or Sagitar in other parts of the world). Like the knight in shining armour, Jetta was highly regarded and widely accepted by the buyers in North America due to its slightly upscale equipment levels and the perceived premium German engineering over the Japanese compacts of the time.

Through to the latest (fifth) generation, Jetta has retained the qualities that made it initially desirable — easy access to seating, large trunk, economical engine and superb handling — while steadily improving on the things potential buyers didn’t like — heavy steering, confusing switchgear, noise in the cabin and diminished rear seat room — with each generation improving on the previous one.

Presently, Jetta receives motivation from a standard 170-hp 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine or a 200-hp turbocharged 2.0-litre four. The base engine is plenty powerful when Jetta is already moving, but makes the car feel sluggish when pulling away from a standstill. It’s by no means a tortoise, but it would require considerably better get-up-and-go to be classified as a hare.

One of the previous concerns addressed in the current generation is shift quality, with a slick six-speed manual standard fare, to be optionally replaced by a six-speed automatic with sequential shift mode (previous Jettas’ automatics were widely poo-poo’d, probably because they mostly took off in second gear unless the driver wanted more oomph by pressing the right pedal to the floor).

Fit and finish has also been remarkably improved from the early generations and Jetta doors close with a satisfying and secure “thunk.” The downside with the sure-closing mechanism is that rear-seat access is sometimes compromised in tight confines when the rear doors don’t open as wide as they are able.

Many occupants will now find comfortable seating front and rear on premium fabric upholstery that is not too cold in the winter nor too hot in the summer. Previous generations’ complaints of compressed headroom should not resurface unless said occupants followed Jack down the beanstalk.

The only drawback to extended rearseat comfort is the absence of a cupholder, which apparently is available as part of the optional centre armrest; however, surely a door pocket could be extended to create a place for a water bottle.

The final complaint to be addressed was price, with previous generations often keeping potential buyers at bay due to prices that were higher than those of Jetta’s closest competitors.

The new model year dawns with lower suggested pricing than the previous one, probably due to the strong loonie performance against the American greenback. With starting prices falling below $30,000 (all but the top of the line trim), Jetta is now priced equally to competitors such as the Mazda3 or the Subaru Impreza.

And the motto of the story is: Jetta’s a good car!

Fact File

2008 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5

As tested, before tax: $29,475

Configuration: front engine/FWD

Options: Comfortline package ($2,500) includes chrome exterior trim, front and rear floor mats, heatable washer nozzles, front centre armrest, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16-in. alloy wheels, heated front bucket seats, premium audio system with in-dash 6-CD changer; auto transmission ($1,400); power sunroof ($1,400); electronic stability system ($450); side curtain airbags ($250)

Freight: $1,335

Engine/Transmission: 2.5L I5/6-speed automatic with sequential shift

Horsepower: 170 @ 5,000 rpm

Torque: 170 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm

Fuel required: 60 litres, regular

EnerGuide fuel ratings (L/100 km): 11.0 city; 7.2 hwy.

Observed fuel economy: 8.9 L/100 km combined over 743 km

Warranty: 4 years/80,000 km

Model price range: $23,475 - $30,375

Engines available: 2.5L I5 (170 hp/170 lb.-ft.); 2.0L turbo I4 (200/207)

Transmissions available: 6-speed manual; 6-speed auto with sequential shift

Competition: Chevrolet Cobalt, Honda Civic; Hyundai Elantra; Mazda3, Mitsubishi Lancer; Nissan Sentra, Pontiac G5, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla

Strengths: Economical; sports sedan handling; solid fit and finish

Weaknesses: Higher price than some rivals; anemic power from standstill

Hybrid Cars

It has been almost twenty years since the Environment has been as important in the minds of North Americans as it is today. For many months now we’ve seen consistent and numerous news headlines regarding global warming. I think this is a good thing as it seems the planet is finally taking the subject seriously. I consider myself an environmentally conscious person and I always make the extra effort to recycle and conserve energy as much as possible. I just attended “Less Talk, More Action” the climate change conference that was held in downtown Montreal with speakers including Al Gore and David Suzuki and I fully support what they are trying to accomplish.

We hear of automakers are releasing more and more Hybrid models to accommodate the increasing demand to go green. I called a local Toyota dealership the other day and asked them how long the waiting list is for a Prius Hybrid. To my surprise the salesman told me about a week. I then called Honda to find out how long it would take to get a Civic Hybrid. Again, to my surprise, the wait was no more than two weeks.

So if these are all good things then why am I consistently frustrated after reading articles on Hybrid cars? While it may seem like the time of the Hybrid car is here I’m afraid I’m going to have to take exception to that argument.

I’m presently shopping for a late model vehicle as a second car and I’d absolutely love to get a Hybrid. I need something primarily get to car shows with the MontrealRacing.com kiosk stuffed in the back. A wagon or SUV would get the job done so what options do I have? I’m sorry to say not very many. At the time of this writing, a search on Hebdo found one Lexus RX400h for $53,000 and several Toyota Highlander Hybrids ranging from $35,000 to $55,000. Not exactly the best selection, especially since I was never crazy about the Highlander so let’s alter the search criteria. In fact, let’s get rid of the criteria altogether and assume I want to buy a new vehicle and I don’t care how much it costs. What can I get?

How about a BMW? No. Volkswagen? No. Mazda? Nothing. Chrysler? Same. Nissan must have a hybrid. Nope. In fact, the only automakers offering Hybrid vehicles in their showrooms at the moment are Honda (Civic, Accord), Toyota/Lexus (Prius, Camry, Highlander, GS450h, Rx400h) and Ford (Escape).

What about GM with the Saturn Vue Green Line and those Hybrid pickups? These vehicles managed to get hybrid classification but I cannot in good conscience call them hybrids. They are more like half-hybrids or hybrid wannabes. Their electric motors cannot drive the car like in a real hybrid. They only serve to shut off the motor when you are not pressing on the gas. The emissions are only reduced because less gas is consumed. How much less gas? The Silverado 4WD gets 14.3/11.3 L/100km. The non hybrid gets 17.0/13.1 L/100km. Yes, you read it correctly, a whopping savings of 2.7L/100km for city driving. That is truly pathetic when compared to the competition.

North America’s first Hybrid, the Honda Insight, was introduced way back in 1999 (production stopped last year.) In all fairness to GM I should point out that the Insight is also a half-hybrid but its 1L motor gets the best fuel economy out of any hybrid even today. I would have thought that other manufacturers would have been able to keep a similar pace but that has not been the case. GM attributes the delay to pursuing hydrogen technology first because it thought hybrids would only be a stepping stone toward the zero-emission hydrogen vehicles. Mercedes and VW are bringing more fuel efficient diesel powered cars to our shores as their answer to the green craze. The whole process is painstakingly slow. I don’t want to seem like a conspiracy nut or anything but I do suspect meddling from the oil industry. As long as there is gas to be refined I don’t think we will be seeing any viable alternatives that truly become mainstream. Hopefully I will be proved wrong.

With a selection of only eight Hybrid models being sold at thousands more than their non hybrid counterparts, it feels like we are being penalized for wanting to go green. When hybrids are being sold cheaper than regular cars and the pre-owned market has an ample supply of them, then I might say there is no reason not to own one and frown upon someone who opted for a gasoline model instead. Blame the manufacturers for dragging their feet on fuel efficiency.

On a side note, you may have read reports on former US Vice President Al Gore’s energy consumption at his Tennessee mansion. Gore’s home consumes more energy in a month then the average American household does in a year. The report was conveniently made public the day after Gore received an Oscar for his global warming documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”. Obviously the right wing neoconservatives do not like Gore’s recent surge in popularity. One can logically assume that the bigger the household, the more energy it will likely consume. Do they expect Gore (who came 527 votes away from being the leader of the free world) to move to a $150,000 condo? I sure don’t. Gore offsets his consumption by donating to a company which uses the money to invest in alternative energy anyways.

Gore’s carbon footprint is irrelevant to me. The benefits of his efforts of convincing the world of the impending doom far outweigh any cuts to his own carbon footprint might yield. In the end, the necessary changes to save the environment can only come from big business, not the individual consumer. This doesn’t mean being environmentally conscious is useless. Using your influence as a green consumer is what will force the economy in the right direction but it does mean that no matter how much we try to be individually, the problem won’t go away until our economy is based on non polluting industries.

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