Back in the late 1960′s, over 90% of new cars were offered with some kind of V8 engine. Then came the gas crunch, and big V8′s went out of vogue in place of smaller 4-cylinder engines. Yet America has always had a love affair with big, powerful engines. While lately the number of V8-powered cars on the roads has dwindled, many people still opt for the largest available engine when given the choice.

That is changing though, as automakers constantly improve their smaller engine lineup. 47% of new cars bought so far in 2010 have 4-cylinder engines. That is quite a jump from just a few years ago.

Surprisingly, fuel economy isn’t the only driving factor here. While I’ve had nothing but good things to say about my ancient and underpowered 4-cylinder Mustang, many four-cylinder engines were just plain old unreliable. These days though, four-cylinder engines are making great strides in both power and reliability. Ford’s 2.0 liter EcoBoost engine, which will be the premium engine choice on the 2011 Ford Explorer, makes 237 horsepower and 250 ft-lbs of torque while delivering 30% better gas mileage than the outgoing V6.

The trend is most prominent in mid-size sedans, many of which offer base four-cylinder engines as well as “premium” V6 engines. According to the Detroit News, 70% of Ford Fusion buyers opted for the four-cylinder engine this year, compared with 55% in 2007; and 93% of Nissan Altima drivers choose the 175 horsepower four-cylinder engine rather than then 270 horsepower V6. Really though, if all you plan on doing is hauling the kids back and forth, do you really need the extra 100 horsepower? My guess is no, you don’t.

I’m willing to bet the economy has something to do with this too. Even people who can afford a new car in this market are only buying what they need in a car. Many V6 engines cost a premium of $2,000 or more, and often you get sucked in with other bells and whistles like heated seats or navigation system—known as “forced features.” Some people just want a car sans the bells and whistles.

This is good news for the automakers, who are throwing a lot of weight into making small engines “acceptable.” It seems they are really reading the public for once. I am holding out for an EcoBoost Fiesta or Focus myself. Good gas mileage + lotsa horsepower = Happy Chris.

Source: Detroit News Image: GM

I write about a lot of fanciful concept cars that I know have little or no basis in reality. Most of these concepts never even make it past the “sketch” phase. Some concepts make it a little bit farther than that, going on to become a clay model. Sometimes, even the most illogical concepts somehow, some way become actual working models… like the electric Superbus.

A cross between an electric supercar and a luxury limo, the Superbus hasn’t just been built, but has actually made its way on to a test track. Is there hope for this wacky concept after all?

I wrote about the electric Superbus, being built by Dutch design students, earlier this ear. The concept is powered by electric motors that provide upwards of 800 horsepower. This horsepower can supposedly push the 20,000 pound Superbus to speeds upwards of 155 mph. In my earlier post, some of you were dismissive of this project, and for good reason. To date, the Superbus has cost £7.5 million, and can hold just 23 passengers. However, these passengers will ride in luxury and speed… if the Superbus actually enters service.

These students seem serious about their creation. While the Superbus hasn’t gone faster than 50mph, they have taken it to the track and tested it. Of course, a 155 mph is rather useless unless you have someplace to go that fast. To me that means the creation of a special highway network relegated specifically to vehicles going 100 mph or more. While it is built from lightweight carbon fiber, I also still have reservations about the range of the Superbus, as well as how long it will take to recharge.

Ideally, I see something like this going super-fast in one direction, dropping off its passengers and recharging while a new group of passengers board. Once boarding and whatnot is done, the bus should be ready to go again. It could be useful for short, quick jaunts between nearby cities, but for long distance travel, a high-speed train still sounds better to me. Plus, tickets will probably be crazy expensive considering the amenities like a headphone, multimedia center, and work desk. Sounds more comfortable than an airplane to be sure.

Source: The Telegraph

Here in the Northeast, we really do have four seasons (as opposed to say, California’s perpetual summer). One of those seasons is winter, and New England winters can be mild or brutal, depending on the year. That cold weather has a detrimental effect on cars, from salt on roads rusting out frames to accidents and icy roads making travel difficult.

Electric cars face additional problems from the cold. For instance, the range can shorten dramatically depending on battery temperature management, as the cold affects the chemistry of the electric car’s battery. Yet Nissan LEAF fans have found a mysterious, unexplained cold weather package for the LEAF. What gives?

The cold weather package, which has never been explained yet is available for viewing on the Nissan LEAF’s Features and Specs website. There is no price, though the cold weather package includes temperature management, heated seats, heated steering wheel, heated mirrors, and a HVAC duct to the rear. The most interesting tidbit to me is the temperature management system. Is it for the battery, or the passengers? Also, for a car that has to conserve its electricity for driving, heating the seats, steering wheels, and mirrors seems like something of a waste of energy.

In talking to Nissan, Nissan-Leaf.net learned that there is indeed a cold weather package, but that it won’t be available on the initial batch of LEAFs. Nissan also claims that it found it more efficient to heat the seats, steering wheel, and mirrors separately than it was to simply blast the heater. Sounds reasonable enough, but will it be enough for those of us living in cold climates?

Source: Nissan-Leaf.net

Remember when vans were cool? I don’t, but my father likes to regale me of tales when big vans with wild paintings adorning the side were all the rage. These days it seems most vans are used for delivery or contractor work, especially over in Europe. They never got the memo that the van craze is over.

GM’s European branch Opel has developed a hybrid-electric van concept based on the Voltec engineering underpinning the Chevy Volt. Called the Vivaro e-Concept, it is definitely designed for European tastes. So could it come to America?

Many, many small businesses use cargo vans as delivery vehicles. Contractors also use vans, as opposed to pickups, should they live in a particularly rainy (or criminal) area. Some people just prefer vans. With the Chevy Volt hitting showrooms in the next few weeks, people are going to start clamoring for the next application of the Volt’s technology, sink or swim. I don’t think anybody was expecting a van… and yet it makes sense.

Fleet sales make up a large margin of GM’s sales. Vans are crazy popular in Europe, so launching it over there through Opel and gauging interest makes sense. GM also knows that Ford is developing an all-electric Transit Connect van. The Transit Connect is a perennial favorite across the pond, and GM probably wants a slice of that pie. The Vivaro e-Power, which is just a concept, would certainly give the electric Transit Connect a run for its money.

Supposedly, it can travel 60 miles on electric power alone. That would cover a lot of ground for many small businesses. After that, a range extender would keep it going for another 190 miles, for a total range of 250 miles. It is clearly designed for local businesses moreso than those driving long hauls.

Here’s the thing. There are no prototypes, no plans to build it, and certainly no plans to bring it to the U.S. This is a concept car, built to gauge interest. So let me ask you, are you interested in the Volt-van?

You can check out the full press release on the next page.

Source: GM

It is hard to believe how far Hyundai/Kia has come in such a relatively short time. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a sharp looking car available with both turbocharged and hybrid engines that deliver great gas mileage, especially for their price segment. Now Kia, the cheaper kid brother of Hyundai, is getting its own version of the Sonata, an all-new Optima.

Just like the Sonata, the 2011 Kia Optima will be available with turbocharged and hybrid engines. The hybrid is expected to be unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show.

This week was the official launching of the Optima, and Kia is happy to spread the word about its peppy new Kia. While not as “swoopy” as the Sonata, the Kia has a more aggressive, muscular look to be sure—clearly reflecting the design mantra of Peter Schreyer, who came to Kia in 2006 after 25 years at Audi. It seems that Hyundai is truly on the path to remake Kia as a younger, sportier brand—next step: I’d like to see a Genesis Coupe-based Kia. The Optima will however be available with a 274 horsepower turbocharged 2.0 liter engine that gets 33 mpg on the highway.

The hybrid Optima, meanwhile, will share platforms with the Sonata. While not on sale yet, the Sonata Hybrid reportedly gets 39 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. It can also travel to speeds of up to 62 mph on the electric motor alone, whereas many other hybrids still can’t get over 50 mph on the electric motor.

What impressed me the most though is the list of standard and optional features on a Kia. From the cockpit-like driver’s console to the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, this car seems to be built for people who enjoy driving. A CD/MP3 player is standard, as is a USB plug, and that is on the base LX model (which is also the only model offered with a six-speed manual transmission). Upgrading to EX offers entertainment features, adjustable power seats, and even a panoramic sunfroof. On a Kia.

Personally, the sporty SX model with the turbo engine sounds good for me. Black leather trim on the inside, faux-carbon fiber, leather wrapped steering wheel. A fast, classy Kia. Too bad you can’t get the manual transmission with the turbocharged engine.

No prices yet, but if the Sonata is any judge, it should have an MSRP of between $18k -$25k.

I think its a looker, but what about you guys? You can check out the full press release on the next page.

Source: Kia Motors