2010 Mustang vs. 2010 BMW Z4

Two redesigned sports cars are generating a ton of hype lately; one has been an American icon for over 40 years, the other is a relatively new innovation from our friends in Germany.

The 2010 Ford Mustang and 2010 BMW Z4 are very different, yet they’re generating equal amounts of passion from their loyal followers. Both deliver horsepower and speed. Both make a statement about their drivers. Let’s take a quick look at both, and then it’s your turn to tell us which you’d rather have!

The Mustang

The biggest news from the Mustang camp is the possibility of Ford’s new EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 being offered. This is an engine capable of a devastating 415 hp that would be offered alongside the V8 options. (No guarantee that this turbo will make it into production, though.) 

Remember when GT Mustangs came with a 5.0-liter V8 rather than the 4.6? Oh yes, the 5.0 is coming back, baby! Expect around 325-350 horses out of that power plant. There will also be a Bullit edition and the same entry-level V6 as before. Looks like we’ll again be treated to a Ford-built Shelby GT 500 version of the new pony, with at least 500 hp, though I’d bet on more. Can you say BOOYAH!?

The Mustang’s interior also gets revamped to accommodate a bigger navigation screen and audio gear. 

The Z4

The new Z4 will be offered in sDrive30i and sDrive35i trims. Completely redesigned inside and out, the exterior redesign is what I’m most excited about, as the current Z4 is a bit too chiseled for my taste. The new design is sleeker, more elegant, and more sophisticated, in stark contrast to the arrogant, muscled look of the Mustang. 

The other big news is the addition of a retractable two-piece aluminum hard top for this Bimmer in place of the current soft top.

Oh, but you want to know about performance? The sDrive30i is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 capable of 255 hp. The sDrive 35i has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 rated at 300 hp and a 0-60 sprint time of 5 seconds.

Opting for the Z4 will also give buyers the option of adding a Sport Package with Adaptive M Suspension and Electronic Damping Control. This gets complicated, but the system allows for more driving control and the ability to change damper forces on the Adaptive M Suspension and adjust the response thresholds of Dynamic Stability Control.

This new Z4 will be built in Germany, as opposed to the current Z4, which is built in America.

So there you have it. Which would you rather have - the pure muscle and style of the Mustang or the sophisticated driving experience of the BMW Z4?

-tgriffith

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Look who’s getting in line for government bailouts!

 

Bailout Fever is spreading. 

As Ford, Chrysler and GM plead their cases for $34 billion in government bailout money, another automotive crisis appears to be looming on the other side of the Atlantic. 

I thought the collapse of the auto industry in the U.S. was caused mainly by poor management and the production of gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs. That’s why I was surprised to hear that European automakers are dealing with similar challenges, and are asking their governments for $50 billion in assistance.   

For example, Jaguar Land Rover, now owned by India’s Tata Motors, is asking the British government for $1.5 billion in assistance. (Why they aren’t going to India’s government is an entirely different blog topic!)

While not quite as dire as the U.S. situation, European car sales were down 15 percent in October, with the outlook for 2009 even worse. Many European carmakers are planning temporary production shutdowns and some are already reducing their workforces. 

Looking a little deeper at the situation, I have to bring up this fact: General Motors has a large stake in Opel, the German carmaker. Should GM not get a bailout, Opel will probably receive help from the German government. That could create a domino effect where other European automakers perceive an unfair advantage, resulting in a major case of the ‘me-toos.’

It’s entirely possible that the European situation arose out of the politics of opportunity, presenting them with an easy way out in the form of government bailouts. It sure looks like U.S. automakers are paving the way out of the land of free-market business and into the world of government subsidies. 

I believe it’s best to let the world’s strong auto companies live and the weak ones die.

But what do you think: Do the European car companies need a bailout package?

-tgriffith

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The cleanest car in the world?

The Green Car of the Year

The Green Car Journal began its Green Car of the Year program in 2005, bestowing the award on the Mercury Mariner Hybrid and the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid before announcing this year’s winner:

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

Yup, a diesel won the award for the first time rather than a hybrid engine. To me, this is proof that the award is becoming more of a true gauge of efficiency rather than a hybrid-hype machine. 

The Jetta diesel, which delivers 41 MPG on the highway, achieves fuel efficiency nearly equal to that of a gas/electric hybrid at a more affordable price. The engine signals the arrival of highly efficient, advanced diesel sedans that meet emissions requirements in all 50 states.

For the award, the Jetta was up against the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the BMW 335d, the Saturn VUE 2-Mode Hybrid and the smart fortwo - all worthy competitors that deliver some of the cleanest driving options available.

The fact that one of the diesels won (the BMW is also a diesel) signifies that the technology has evolved to the point where it’s a truly viable solution for reducing our consumption of oil and can bridge the gap until a reliable, renewable energy source can be implemented.

Now that Volkswagen has this award under its belt, we can look forward to more clean diesel TDI vehicles, as evidenced by the Touareg on display at VW’s booth at the LA Auto Show.

What would you buy: a clean diesel or a hybrid? Leave your comments below!

-tgriffith

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What will Tata Motors do with Jaguar?

Expect great things from Jaguar under Tata

 

It’s been a while since we’ve last heard from the new owners of Jaguar. The luxury automaker struggled while under Ford ownership, and new owner Tata Motors has been pretty quiet about their plans for the storied brand.

That has caused some fear in Jaguar loyalists as they wonder how in the world the same company that builds the world’s cheapest car can possibly succeed in doing justice to the elegance of the once-British car company.

Ford really didn’t do any favors to Jag though, attempting to bring the essence of Jaguar luxury to the masses. The result: An entry-level sedan that failed miserably and a mid-size sedan that has ended up on more than one list of ugly cars.

There was even talk at Ford of building a Jaguar SUV.

Tata Motors doesn’t have any experience building luxury automobiles, but I won’t let that stop me from believing they are going to be the savior Jaguar fans have been hoping for.

First of all, Tata plans on moving Jag back up market by deciding against an entry-level sub $40K vehicle. They’ve also firmly backed away from creating an SUV, a move that makes sense considering they also own the SUV king: Land Rover.

Here’s what to watch for in the coming years from the new Jaguar: 

-         New V8 engines in early 2009

-         A Supercharged XF-R in mid 2009

-         A redesigned XJ in 2010 (look for XF design cues)

-         In 2011, 2012 and beyond, watch for a possible XF coupe and a smaller roadster to compete with the Porsche Boxster and BMW X4   

I think these are exciting times for Jaguar. I predict that we’ll see Jags that are truly luxurious with the performance to match. Tata Motors is a company with a lot to prove, and I’m willing to bet that they won’t let us down.

What do you think: Will Jaguar return to glory under Tata? 

-tgriffith

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FOUND: The perfect gifts for auto lovers!

The holidays are coming!

For those of you who want to get started on your shopping lists but aren’t sure where to start, relax. I’ve got you covered. These suggestions are readily available in catalogs nationwide. You probably won’t even have to leave your home to order up these gifts that are sure to please even the most discriminating auto aficionado on your list.

Of course it’ll also help if you’re a multimillionaire, but I’m just giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you are.  I mean, who isn’t these days?

The Neiman Marcus BMW

Catalog: Neiman Marcus

Product: 2009 Limited Edition BMW 750Lis

Product Description: Swathed in an exclusive Diopside Black paint scheme applied by BMW’s in-house Individual design studio, each vehicle includes a piano black interior trim, Champagne Merino leather and BMW Individual badging throughout.

Price: $160,000 (includes a European driving experience. Presumably in Europe.)

The Bloomingdales Infiniti

Catalog: Bloomingdales

Product: 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible, Premier Edition

Product Description: Powered by a 330 horsepower 3.7L V6, the automobile gets a dark gray Platinum Graphite exterior, exclusive Monaco Red leather-trimmed interior with hand-crafted, red-stained genuine maple wood trim, a special grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Price: If you have to ask… call Bloomingdales when they go sale on November 10, at 12:00 p.m. CST

You can thank me by simply ordering 2, and sending one my way.

What do you think of ordering cars through a catalog?

-tgriffith

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Watch out Japan, the Germans are coming

Can this combo be number one?

The Germans want to rule the world.

Well, at least the automotive world.

Volkswagen has said they want to overtake Toyota as the world’s number one mass market manufacturer of automobiles.

A lofty goal for sure. But if you find yourself laughing in the face of this semi-obscure German car company, perhaps a swift slap across your face from Porsche will snap you out of it.

Porsche already owns about 30 percent of V-dub. If the luxury car company has their way, they’ll soon own over 50 percent of the people’s car company.

The implications are huge.

VW and Porsche are at opposite ends of the car spectrum, though recent years have brought us Volkswagens that can cost $60K and Porsches that can cost $50K.

Don’t expect more of this in the future though. I’d guarantee that with Porsche in control, they’ll make sure the proper distance is kept between the cars for everyone and the cars for the elite.

It sure seems like the pieces are falling into place for VW to achieve their goal of world domination:

Gas prices: They have been coming down since summer, but are still high. Diesel fuel is a popular alternative not because it costs less but because it provides much higher miles per gallon. Volkswagen has already established itself in America as a leader in diesel automobiles, so it could easily introduce more.

Name recognition: Volkswagen already has brand awareness across the globe, especially in America.

Mystique of Porsche: Porsches are the cars many Americans aspire to. They are the symbol of pure performance and often define success. With the Porsche name firmly planted behind Volkswagen, the perception of VW will increase greatly.

Granted, Volkswagen will need to work out the bugs of questionable reliability and their notoriously high cost of repairs. But with the Porsche name behind them, you won’t see me betting against their odds of becoming number one.

Do you think Volkswagen can overtake Toyota?

-tgriffith

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