Compact cars debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show

Fuel prices may have eased, but the economy remains sluggish. Never fear: A fresh batch of peppy economy cars is heading to showrooms in the near future. Here are four all-new offerings that debuted last week at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

JAE C. HONG/APThe 2011 Chevrolet Cruze debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009.
CHEVROLET CRUZE

On sale fall 2010 The Korean-designed compact Cruze will replace the aging Cobalt for 2011. Powering the sedan is a 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter four mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Chevy says the turbo engine returns 40 mpg in highway driving.

As a follow-up, Chevrolet will release the subcompact Spark in 2011. Also designed in Korea by GM-Daewoo, the four-door, four-cylinder Chevrolet Spark will be the brand’s smallest U.S. car, measuring 143 inches long, three inches shorter than the diminutive Mini Cooper.

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GETTYThe new Ford Fiesta is displayed during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 2, 2009.
FORD FIESTA

On sale March 2010 Ford of Europe’s sporty five-door hatchback or four-door sedan comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that pumps out 119 horsepower. Ford says the subcompact Fiesta returns 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway when paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. A five-speed manual also is available.

Like the forthcoming Mazda 2 and Chevrolet Spark, the Ford Fiesta is designed to battle the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit. The subcompact features electronic stability control, side and head-protecting air bags, keyless entry, push-button start and leather trim.

DAVID McNEW/GETTY IMAGESThe new Hyundai Tucson is displayed during press preview days at the 2009 LA Auto Show on Dec. 3, 2009.
HYUNDAI TUCSON

On sale December 2009 Crossover SUVs, such as the car-based Hyundai Tucson, are finding favor with buyers downsizing from larger, truck-based SUVs. Because they’re based on cars, they return better fuel economy. Consider the Tucson, just 173 inches long. It gets 31 mpg on the highway from its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

Designed in Germany, the Tucson offers two features that assist in low-traction situations: "Downhill Brake Control" and "Hillstart Assist Control." Options include a panoramic sunroof, touch-screen navigation and a Bluetooth hands-free phone.

GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GETTYThe Mazda 2 is displayed during the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 2, 2009.
MAZDA 2

On sale summer 2010 Known for its models with "zoom zoom," Mazda is adding a dose of fuel efficiency in the form of the Mazda 2, which has been sold in Japan, Australia and Europe since 2007. The company says it will be the most fuel-efficient Mazda when it goes on sale, but didn’t disclose fuel economy or performance ratings.

Powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, the Mazda 2 shares its platform with the Ford Fiesta. It was named 2008 World Car of the Year at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.

Chevrolet cars with 3G Internet connection

Chevrolet followed the trend between US car manufacturers and added roving Internet access to its cars.

An after-sale option of an Autonet router, providing 1.5Mbps connection, is now available for various Chevrolet models: Avalanche, Equinox, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Traverse. The option shares a 3G link over a local Wi-Fi hotspot, the same as the Chrysler option; passengers and other people within a 150-foot radius can benefit from this connection.

The service needs to be installed by the dealer, being priced at $29 per month. The router will initially cost $199 for a two-year contract, but only if it’s bought before December 31st, 2009. Otherwise, its price will be $399.

Mini and Mitsubishi launch electric car trials in UK

The Mini E: adoption of electric vehicles with a range of 50km or more could cut road transport carbon emissions in half

Two of the world's largest car firms kicked off trials of their flagship electric vehicles this weekend as part of a nationwide pilot scheme backed by the Technology Strategy Board (TSB).

Mitsubishi's electric i-MiEVs and BMW's electric Mini were both distributed to participants in the trial, which is intended to inform both the development of the yet-to-be-released vehicles and the government's wider electric car strategy.

Mini's electric car trial began in Oxford where 40 customers picked up their cars as part of a pilot scheme that has seen a special charging points fitted at the homes of the successful applicants and data collection devices fitted to each of the Mini Es.

The company said that the six-month project was intended to evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car. The information will be collected by Oxford Brookes University and then made publicly available.

The Mini E is based on the Mini hatchback, but the back seat is converted to store batteries. The 35kWh lithium-ion battery powers a 201bhp electric motor, which provides similar acceleration to a standard mini.

BMW – which owns Mini – says the overall CO2 emissions from the car equates to roughly 68g/km, which is around half the CO2 emitted by a 1.25l Ford Fiesta. It added that the emissions related to the vehicle would fall over time as more renewable energy plays a greater role in the UK's energy mix.

The trial has been part-subsidised by the TSB with participants in the trial paying £330 a month, excluding charging costs, for use of the vehicles. BMW estimates a full charge will cost £1.50 at night and £4.00 during the day. It added that each full charge will give the vehicle a range of about 150 miles.

Meanwhile, Mitsubishi's pilot scheme has seen 25 i-MiEVs, the electric version of its compact four-seat, four-door, rear-engined "i" city car, distributed to customers in the midlands.

The cars were distributed as part of the £15m Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators (Cabled) project, which will ultimately see 110 vehicles trialled in Birmingham and Coventry.

Under the scheme, Indian auto giant Tata will contribute 25 electric Indicas, Microlab will provide 10 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Land Rover is to supply five Range_e plug-in hybrids and LTI will provide five electric taxis.

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

Due in the middle of 2011, the next-gen ML is still largely a matter of speculation. Spy shots of an early prototype reveal a smaller body than the current ML, though the wheelbase appears unchanged. We also have a shot of the interior as well as this new rendering that gives us a clue as to what the final version may look like.

A few reports have suggested that a diesel-electric hybrid ML-Class is in the works, although a gasoline-electric hybrid like that in the upcoming ML450 Hybrid is almost certain. A plug-in variant of the ML hybrid is even possible, featuring an 80 horsepower electric motor paired with a twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 3.5-liter V-6 and capable of travelling up to 18-miles on electric power alone.

That plug-in hybrid system will draw on elements from the other hybrid programs within Mercedes, including the S400 powertrain. But other elements, including parts and underpinnings, will be shared more closely across the R-Class successor and G-Class vehicles to help achieve economies of scale while still maintaining separate identities. The chassis underpinning the new SUV is also the same design found in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, one of the lasting legacies from the now defunct DaimlerChrysler.

The ML’s dominant position as the consumer 4x4 of choice within Mercedes' lineup won't change, though the focus will increasingly be on efficiency rather than performance. Accordingly, European models will likely get a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine rated at 204 horsepower. A V-6 diesel rated at 225 horsepower and a 333 horsepower V-6 gasoline engine is also thought to be in the plans. The V-8 engine will gain direct-injection and twin-turbochargers for the AMG model, which is expected to deliver at least 570 horsepower.

Mercedes-Benz GL

Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall order for about 350 GL550 SUVs from model year 2009, in order to correct a fuel line defect that could result in a vehicle fire.

In a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the automaker explains, “The fuel line quick connectors located under the vehicle away from the engine compartment may not have been connected properly on the assembly line and completely seated in the connection. In case of a frontal crash, the fuel pump would no longer function but a partial dislocation of the line could lead to a potential for fuel loss from the line at the quick connector. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.”

Mercedes dealers will inspect the fuel line connectors, and install a new, redesigned clamp in order to ensure a secure connection, free of charge. Owners should receive a recall letter in the mail in January, but those who wish to make their own repair arrangements may contact Mercedes at (800) 367-6372,

2009 Mercedes-Benz G550 Recalled

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 352 of its 2009 G550 vehicles to fix a problem with the fuel line quick connectors that could be a fire hazard.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 352 of its 2009 550 G-Class vehicles because of a possible fire hazard due to improperly installed fuel line quick connectors, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"The fuel line quick connectors located under the vehicle away from the engine compartment may not have been connected properly on the assembly line and completely seated in the connection," said NHTSA in its summary of the problem. "In case of a frontal crash, the fuel pump would no longer function, but a partial dislocation of the line could lead to a potential for fuel loss from the line at the quick connector. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire."

Mercedes-Benz dealers will check the connection of the fuel line quick connectors and install a new clamp. The recall is expected to begin in January.

2010 ATT BMW M3

M3 is used to characterize 3 series top model of German car producer BMW. ATT tuner called its new power car Thunderstorm M3. Rastatt tuning specialists put much effort and creativity not only in design but also in great driving performance. At first glance you cannot estimate the scope of retrofitting, but the design is definitely not too stylish. Moreover, ATT has paid attention to powerful performance tuning.

The inbuilt compressor together with engine software optimization greatly increase engine performance. It is provided for by unique exhaust system with optimized dynamic pressure (available in two sound variations) for 1'355.00 Euro with 4x90 exhaust pipes increasing engine power up to 500 hp. The price for engine retrofitting is 11'749.00 Euros, including installation.

In order to correspond to driving performance, ATT gives its an upgrade in chassis. Now, KW coilover suspension Variant 3 (2'029.00 Euro) guarantees better road-holding, even at high speeds.

Huge ATT-TEC LeMans 20”alloy rims increase body overall width. 8,5x20 and 10x20 alloy rims with Michelin „Pilot Sport 2“ 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20 tyres cost 3'475.00 Euros, mounting & balancing included. The set is completed by 20 mm distance washers (for 393,00 Euros) on the front and rear axle.

Optionally you can order an interior packet for the passenger cabin with either carbon parts or Swarovski crystals.