April 28, 2009

Hello, Driving Range fans. This time around we will be checking out the new Kia Soul, EPA fuel ratings and a rare GT.

New vehicles
KIA Soul – In a world overrun with dozens of models within a multitude of vehicle classes it’s hard to believe that there is room for something new and different. Only a few short years ago Toyota broke the mould with its Scion brand, in particular xB model – a small, boxy fuel-efficient runabout that was quirky yet functional. Well the trend has caught on and Kia is entering the foray with its funky (2010) Soul. Following the new design theme, the Soul is a small, squarish, boxy vehicle with flair; its wraparound headlights and vertical trapezoid tail lights being its most unique styling cues. Exterior colour choices such as Lava (orange), Molten (red) and Vanilla Shake (light yellow) add to the unique persona the Soul is trying to portray, as do the available 18-inch aluminum wheels that add a purposeful stance to this compact hauler. Inside the funkiness continues with a prominent centre pod, a cool steering wheel and several available seat and trim colour schemes to choose from that complement your exterior colour choice. The Soul is built on the compact Rio platform but is available with two engine choices, 1.6- and 2-litre variants, and comes in a variety of trim levels designated by such arcane nomenclature as 2u, 4u and Burner. Road-going reports have been favourable overall with a very “fun to drive” atmosphere being the general consensus by most. So if you're still concerned about fuel economy and are looking for something a little funkier than the norm, check out the Kia Soul.

Available – now
Base – $17,145 4u Burner (auto) – $23,845
Engines – 1.6 L–122 hp, 115 lb-ft torque (7.7 L/100km-37 mpg Cty, 6.3L/100km-45 mpg Hwy)
Engines – 2.0 L–132 hp, 137 lb-ft torque (8.6 L/100km-33 mpg Cty, 6.5L/100km-43 mpg Hwy)


The Green Scene
EPA fuel-consumption ratings – One of the key specifications most consumers check when searching for a new (or pre-owned) vehicle is the fuel-consumption ratings. And with world oil prices unlikely to stay at current values, saving on fuel is even more of a priority. So how realistic are the ratings advertised by manufacturers and how do they come up with these figures? First of all it is important to note that vehicle manufacturers follow strict guidelines and regulations when testing their products for fuel consumption. Second, it is unlikely that under normal driving conditions the typical vehicle operator (that’s you, the consumer) will achieve the same ratings as reported by the manufacturer. So here’s how it works: Manufacturers test their own vehicles and report their findings to the EPA, which in turn confirms about 10-15% of these results through its own testing. OK, so they want consistency so that’s good. The problem is that these tests are done in a laboratory on a machine called a dynamometer that is supposed to simulate different driving environments. The drive wheels are placed on the dynamometer rollers that can be calibrated to account for wind resistance and the vehicle's weight. The test driver runs the vehicle through a strict driving schedule which simulates “typical” trips in the city or on the highway at various speeds under different acceleration/deceleration phases. Exhaust fumes are collected during these tests and analyzed to determine the fuel consumption. The good news is that up until 2008 there were only two tests done (city and highway), but since 2008 three new tests were added (high speed, cold temperature and A/C operation) to the schedule to make the results a bit more realistic. This of course affected most vehicles (same model/drivetrain, new year) in that their posted EPA ratings went down. If you look at the test schedule it looks reasonable other than the fact that the distances travelled are short and the average speeds attained appear to be on the low side. So, are we driving too far, too fast? Are the EPA ratings meaningful in a real life driving environment? The EPA’s commentary goes something like this: EPA tests are designed to reflect “typical” driving conditions and driving behaviour but several factors can affect fuel efficiency significantly such ashow and where you drive, vehicle condition/age and fuel variations. Therefore, the EPA ratings are a useful tool for comparing the fuel economies of different vehicles but may not accurately predict the average MPGyou will get. Huh!


If Only!
Maserati Gran Turismo S (GTS) – Maserati has had its challenges since forming in 1914 with several ownership changes and a number of subpar vehicles to contend with. But with its current ownership under Fiat (the same company that owns Ferrari), things are looking up. First came the all new four-door Quattroporte luxury GT in 2004 and the introduction of a two-door counterpart, the Gran Turismo just last year. The GTS ups the ante with the 4.2 litre V8 bored and stroked to displace 4.7 litres and produce 433 willing horsepower. Also on tap for the GTS is a sequential manual transmission with six forward gears for quick paddle-shifted gear changes. The GTS leaps to 60 mph in less than five seconds which is impressive for a car weighing more than two tons. Although canyon shredding is not this car's forte, high-speed cruising certainly is. With luxurious leather throughout and superb seats, you could travel for hours at excessive speeds in ultimate comfort. This level of grand touring doesn’t come cheap but at a cost of only $135,000 (U.S.), compared to the competition, owning a unique car of this calibre is relatively inexpensive.