William Maley

“But you’ll look sweet Upon the seat Of a Mazda CX-3 built for two” Okay, I might have slightly altered a song that you may sung during preschool and/or kindergarten. But that song perfectly describes the latest entrant in the subcompact crossover class, the 2016 Mazda CX-3. Let me explain. Mazda has been designing some of the sharpest looking vehicles for a few years and the CX-3 is no exception. The front end looks the same as the larger CX-5 and upcoming CX-9 with a large grill and chrome trim running along the outer edge into the headlights. Moving to the side shows off a flowing line that resembles an ocean wave. Finishing the look is a set of eighteen-inch wheels that come standard on the Grand Touring. The overall shape makes the CX-3 look bigger than it actually is. This thought goes away once you get inside the CX-3. Interior space can be best described as intimate. The front seats provide good support and come with extra side bolstering to hold you in whenever you decide its time to horse around. The back seat is quite small with little head and legroom. I’m 5’8” and found that I barely fit. There needs to be a sticker attached to the rear windows saying “the rear seat to be used only in case of emergencies". Cargo space is also small with the CX-3 only offering 12.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 44.5 cubic feet with them down. Our CX-3 tester had an even smaller cargo area due to the subwoofer (comes with the optional Bose audio system) taking up valuable space. Measurements are 10.1 and 42.3 cubic feet respectively. This trails the Honda HR-V which offers 24.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.8 cubic feet when folded. At least Mazda did an impressive job when it comes to the design of the CX-3’s interior. A sleek looking dash features a small chrome bar running between a set of air vents. Various trim pieces are finished in contrasting colors to set off the interior. All CX-3s feature a seven-inch color touchscreen with the MazdaConnect infotainment system. The Grand Touring is the only trim that comes with navigation. Much like our experience in the MX-5 Miata, trying to use the touchscreen is more an exercise in frustration since you don’t know which controls are touch enabled. It is easier to use the control knob to move around the system. Power for the CX-3 comes from a 2.0L Skyactiv-G four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque (@ 2,800 rpm). This comes paired with a six-speed automatic and the choice of either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Our tester came with all-wheel drive. Around town the CX-3's 2.0 liter provides decent off the line power, but under heavier acceleration and at highway speeds, the engine struggles and sounds rough. Those who have timed the CX-3 to 60 mph say it takes about 8.5 seconds. The six-speed automatic delivers smooth and crisp upshifts, but is somewhat slow to respond when downshifting. Fuel economy for the CX-3 AWD is rated at 27 City/32 Highway/29 Combined. Our average landed around 26 MPG. Not bad considering the winter conditions the CX-3 was facing, along with the vehicle only having just a hair over 1,000 miles. One key item Mazda points out on the CX-3 is the i-Active all-wheel drive system. Mazda says this system is able to predict road conditions through various sensors around the vehicle to provide information to the computer. From there, the computer is able to make various changes to all-wheel drive system to keep the vehicle moving through whatever mother nature decides to throw out. For example, if you turn on the windshield wipers, the system can tell that its raining and makes the necessary changes. Seems like a marketing gimmick, but it actually does make a difference. When the CX-3 was dropped off, the metro Detroit area was experiencing a big snow storm with snow amounts ranging from six to twelve inches. The all-wheel drive system was able to keep the CX-3 moving through deep snow drifts on the road. Even when stopped, you could tell the wheels spun briefly before the system made some quick adjustments to get the vehicle moving. Handling is where the Mazda CX-3 truly shines. Around corners, the vehicle feels nimble and body motions are kept in check. Steering is towards the top of the class with excellent weight and feel of the road. The daily drive reveals the CX-3 having a compliant ride with some bumps making their way inside. One area Mazda still hasn’t been able to fully solve yet is noise isolation. There is a fair amount of road and tire noise coming into the cabin. We’re wondering if going for the sixteen-inch wheels on the Touring trim would fix this issue. Wind noise is kept to acceptable levels. In terms of pricing, the Mazda CX-3 is right in line with competitors. Prices range from $19,960 for the base Sport front-wheel drive to $26,240 for the Grand Touring all-wheel drive. Our Grand Touring tester came to an as-tested price of $29,260 with most options added. This is a lot of cash to drop on a subcompact crossover. The only thing we can see why you might go to the Grand Touring is for the optional safety package that adds radar cruise control and automatic braking. Otherwise you can get a good amount of equipment from the CX-3 Grand Touring as options on the Touring. Making this price tag harder to swallow is the Mazda CX-5 Touring all-wheel drive that is only a few hundred dollars more than our tester ($29,820), and offers more space and can be optioned with automatic braking. Let’s go back to the beginning of this review with the song and saying how it perfectly describes the 2016 Mazda CX-3. This a crossover that will work for either a single person or couple as there is enough space for their needs. A small family will feel cramped and wonder why there isn’t any more cargo space. In my notes for the CX-3, I made the connection between it and the Mazda MX-5 I drove a few weeks before. Both models are focused on providing driving excitement and sharp looks, but at the cost of practicality. This isn’t to say the Mazda CX-3 is a bad crossover. I happen to really like it. But it only works for a certain group of people. Cheers: Fun to drive, Clever all-wheel drive system, Looks that stand out Jeers: You can get a CX-5 for the same amount of money as our tester, Rear seat best used in emergencies, Engine struggles when getting up to speed on a freeway Disclaimer: Mazda Provided the CX-3, Insurance, and One Tank of Gas Year: 2016 Make: Mazda Model: CX-3 Trim: Grand Touring AWD Engine: Skyactiv-G 2.0L Four-Cylinder Driveline: Six-Speed Automatic, All-Wheel Drive Horsepower @ RPM: 146 @ 6,000 Torque @ RPM: 146 @ 2,800 Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - 27/32/29 Curb Weight: 2,952 lbs Location of Manufacture: Hiroshima, Japan Base Price: $26,240 As Tested Price: $29,260 (Includes $900 Destination Charge) Options: GT i-Activesense Package - $1,920.00 Door Sill Trim Plates - $100.00 Rear Bumper Guard - $100.00 View full article

I assume the LAPD will be putting a lot more miles on them than allowed for $199 a month. Gonna be interesting to see how they chase the bag guys with the limited range. I figure they will bring in the petro powered to take over. These aren't going to be for chases. The i3s will be part of LAPD's non-emergency vehicle fleet, meaning they'll be used for "transportation vehicles for officers and in community outreach initiatives," according to BMW in a press release. I'm betting the i3 is slightly more practical than a Volt. Also, I don't think LAPD is being taken to the cleaners. Buying a group of vehicles for a fleet is a much different and expensive than you or I going into a dealership. I doubt that someone is offering $199 lease to fleet customers.

Recently if you wanted the cheapest version of the Tesla Model S, you had to get the Model S 70 which started at $71,500. But today, Tesla has announced a new low-cost version of the Model S. The new Model S 60 starts at $66,000 (before federal and state incentives) and offers a maximum range of 210 miles. If you're wondering why this sounds somewhat familiar, that is because Tesla offered the Model S 60 up until last year when the 70 took its place. Aside from the lower price, the 60 can be equipped with all-wheel drive (the 60D which starts at $71,000). Interestingly, the Model S 60 doesn't have a 60 kWh battery pack. Instead, it is a 75 kWh battery pack that are capped by software to pretend to be smaller. You can unlock the full capacity of the battery via a software update, but it will cost you $9,000 (along with a $500 service fee). Source: Tesla Press Release is on Page 2 As you know, Model S is designed to be a great car for every lifestyle, and we continue to make it even better. Last month we introduced design updates to Model S, and through continual software updates we've made Model S faster, smarter, safer and more enjoyable to drive. It's part of Tesla's relentless commitment to making its products better. With these improvements, we've heard from a number of people who would like to buy a Model S, but can more easily afford it only at a lower price point. To respond to these requests, on Thursday June 9 we're introducing two new variants of Model S – Model S 60 and 60D, offering a compelling feature set and a great value at a new low price. The new Model S 60 delivers more than 200 miles of range, a top speed of 130 mph and zero-to-60 acceleration in 5.5 seconds, starting at $66,000. The all-wheel drive option brings even more range and performance, beginning at $71,000. And every Tesla comes equipped with active safety features and Autopilot hardware. Keep in mind that when comparing the price of any electric vehicle to an internal combustion vehicle, it's important to compare not just the out-of-pocket price, but also the effective cost of ownership. Factoring in annual fuel savings which typically ranges between $1,000 and $1,500, as well as available tax incentives, the effective cost of owning Model S 60 comes to about $50k. And there are other advantages to owning a Tesla that add up over time, including: Less maintenance – Tesla vehicles don't require regular maintenance like oil changes, fuel filters or smog checks. And our four-year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and eight-year/infinite mile battery and drive unit warranty come standard with Model S. Ample charging options – for most Tesla owners, home charging provides plenty of range for daily travel, and with an EPA range of over 200 miles, that's still the case for Model S 60 and 60D. For long distance travel, there are many convenient Supercharger and Destination Charging locations throughout our network. New features via free software updates – as with every Model S, the 60 and 60D will receive free over-the-air software updates that add functionality and continue to improve the driving experience for years to come. To provide customers even more flexibility over time, Model S 60 and 60D owners may later choose to upgrade their vehicles to a 75kWh battery with a software update, should they want to add to their car's battery capacity in the future. View full article

The long-rumored and talked-about rear-drive Kia GT is coming soon and we have learned a little bit more information about it. Speaking with Australian outlet Motoring, Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith let out some interesting bits of information. “We can’t wait for CK. It will be here in the third quarter of next year, in two specifications priced from about $40,000 AUD," said Meredith. CK is the codename for the upcoming rear-drive sedan which according to Motoring is called Stinger. Meredith did confirm the Stinger would use a 3.3L biturbo V6 with 362 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque as its top engine. Most likely the base engine will be the 3.8L V6 with 311 horsepower. The platform that underpins the current Hyundai Genesis (soon to be the Genesis G80), will be used here. For Australia, Kia is planning to aim the Stinger at buyers who would have bought the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. “It’s perfect timing. CK will arrive just before the unfortunate demise of Australian car manufacturing, and it will appeal to the same buyers in that segment. It’s a great opportunity for us,” said Meredith. Source: Motoring.com.au View full article

I can see that.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles surprised everyone last month when they announced a partnership with Google concerning autonomous vehicles. It seems that FCA wants to do something similar with another company. Bloomberg has learned from sources that FCA is currently in talks with Uber Technologies to strike a similar partnership concerning autonomous vehicles. At the moment, the talks between the two companies are at the preliminary stage. Unsurprisingly, both FCA and Uber declined to comment. Another source tells Bloomberg that Uber is in talks with other automakers. Not a big surprise as Uber already has announced a partnership with Toyota concerning the ride-service section of the business. Why would FCA be talking with Uber? FCA doesn't have the money/resources to develop their own technology. By partnering with various technology, this allows FCA to catch up in terms of autonomous tech. Source: Bloomberg View full article

Ford has big ambitions for Lincoln in the Chinese marketplace. CEO Mark Fields has said that China could eclipse the U.S. as the biggest market for the luxury brand. During the first year of selling vehicles in the country, Lincoln moved over 11,000 vehicles. According to Fields, this is the fastest start for a luxury-auto brand there “in recent history.” “It’s different in the U.S. than in China. In China, our heritage plays very strong. Our favorable opinion in China is actually ahead of Lexus and on the factor of prestige, we’re actually ahead of Audi,” said Kumar Galhotra, head of Lincoln. Ford wants to take the next step and possibly start building Lincolns in China. Bloomberg has learned from sources that the blue oval is in talks with its partner in China, Changan Automobile Group. The possible location is in Chongqing and would serve the Chinese market, along with acting as an Asian export base. One source says production could begin as early as 2018, but another says it could be 2020 or later as these discussions are still in the preliminary phase. “There’s no detailed plan at the moment” on producing the Lincoln brand in China, said Zhu Huarong, president of Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. on the sidelines of a fourm earlier this week. Source: Bloomberg View full article

It seems we will be seeing the next-generation Porsche Panamera faster than anyone expected. Porsche announced yesterday they would reveal the 2017 Panamera on June 28th. Along with this announcement, Porsche released a teaser video for the model. There isn't much the video tells us about the sedan as it mostly spends its time talking about how people thought they were crazy for doing various things (like putting the engine in the rear). But thanks to the folks at Car, we have gotten our first look at a couple of undisguised Panamera mules. The basic shape remains, but it seems better proportioned and slightly sleeker. The back end borrows some ideas from the updated 911 with similar taillights and possibly rear tailgate design. The Panamera will be the first model to feature the new MSB platform that will underpin the next-generation Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur. The platform will cut a significant amount of weight thanks to the use of high-strength steel, aluminum, and composite materials. We know Porsche will have a wagon alongside the standard sedan, but Car says there will be a long-wheelbase sedan as well. Source: Porsche, Car Magazine View full article

May was a horrible month for automakers as many reported sales drops. Part of this can be attributed sales of cars (especially sedans) imploding. According to Automotive News, the 15 largest automakers all posted lower car sales. Overall car sales dropped 16 percent. "We don't get a lot of ups on cars right now, as far as people even wanting a price on them," said Gary Uftring, president of Uftring Auto Group in Peoria, Ill. "Styling has changed, and what people want to be seen in is a crossover or a sport utility." Case in point, light-truck sales rose 2.4 percent in May. Sedans were the hardest hit for May. Here's a rundown of the big losers, Toyota Camry and Prius saw a decrease of about 7,000 models when compared to sales last May BMW 5-Series, Ford Focus, and Ford Fusion all saw a drop of over 20 percent Worst month of any kind for the Chevrolet Impala, down 54 percent. Barclays Capital analyst Brian Johnson says the U.S. has gone into a 'sedan recession,' and could hurt sales down the road. "Excess supply and weak demand for sedans is likely to yield added price pressures. One trend that may accelerate the sedan recession is weakness in deep subprime credit, which largely supports used car values -- especially for sedans." Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article