HYUNDAI GENESIS WILL BE A TOUGH COMPETITOR

  Motoring Tampa Bay staff

Watch out, Cadillac, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes and other luxury sport sedan carmakers! The all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis is here. The Korean automaker has equipped this fine piece of luxury with its first rear-wheel-drive system as well as an all-new 8-cylinder engine.

The Genesis comes in two trims: 3.8-liter V-6 (290 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 264 pounds-feet of torque at 3500 rpm) or the 4.6-liter V-8 (375 hp at 6000 rpm and 333 pounds-feet of torque) engines. Equipped with a Continuously Variable Valve Timing, the 3.8-liter and 4.6-liter Genesis can go 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 and 5.7 seconds respectively.

A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard for both the trims as is the independent five-link front and rear suspension system. The rack-and-pinion, power-assisted steering is accurate and precise, boosting the driver’s confidence at every sharp turn and corner.

Safety of occupants is not even an issue, thanks to numerous standard features: dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, front and rear crumple zones, front seat active-head restraints and tire pressure monitoring system.

Based on a steel unibody structure, the sedan is 6 inches longer in wheelbase and 3 inches overall than the midsize Azera from Hyundai. One look at the front fascia and you will ask: Where’s the Flying H insignia? Well, there isn’t any. Instead, it has three horizontal bars that meet up with a vertical spine center. Does it work? Absolutely, when your eyes gaze over at the striking jeweled projector-style automatic headlights.

Peer inside and don’t be surprised to find a lavish and elegant cabin that, to tell you frankly, isn’t Hyundai-like! Get this: leather-wrapped dash, door panels and console lid; power tilt-and-slide sunroof, classy wood trim on the dash, shifter knob, four-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel and doors; electro-luminescent display for speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level, odometer and trip computer gauges; eight-way driver and four-way power passenger bucket seats; metal-grain accents on center stack; heated front seats; Lexicon AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-Cd changer; power rear sunshade; and much more.

It has taken time but the Genesis boasts the quality look and feel of a BMW 3 or 5 Series. Both the engine choices are robust enough to produce a grace ride and superb handling. Equally shining is a top-notch interior with clear instrumentation and logical controls. And if you still aren’t convinced, there are the five-year/60,000-mile bumper to bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile power warranties from Hyundai.

GENESIS (3.8-liter V-6)

Tires: P225/55R17

Wheelbase: 115.6 inches

Length: 195.9 inches

Weight: 3,748 pounds

Fuel capacity: 19.3 gallons

City, 18 mpg

Highway, 27 mpg

Base price: $32,250

Web site: www.hyundaigenesis.com

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2009 NISSAN MAXIMA MAKES FOR A THRILLING RIDE

By Motoring Tampa Bay staff

This seventh-generation Nissan Maxima, which has been redesigned, gets a boost of 35 horsepower over the 2008 model. Though the wheelbase sees a decrease of 1.9 inches, the width is up by 1.5 inches in the front-wheel-drive sports sedan.

Available in two trims (S and SV), the Maxima is equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that cranks out 290 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 261 pounds-feet of torque at 4400 rpm. The revised Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) with manual-shift capabilities is flawless. Front suspension duties fall upon a subframe-mounted strut with coil springs. The multilink independent rear suspension also is subframe-mounted with a stabilizer bar.

Need to slow down or stop in an emergency maneuver? The 12.6-inch vented front and 12.13-inch rear disc brakes are at the helm to take care of you. Eighteen-inch wheels, sitting on the unibody structure of the Maxima, are sized just right to handle the rigors of the daily grind.

L form rules the exterior as in L-shaped halogen headlights and tail lamps with side-marker bulbs. Contributing to the car’s aggressive stance is a wide grille with the Nissan emblem, large bumper opening, bulging hood and chrome on the dual exhaust tips, door handles and a horizontal strip on the trunk door. The decorative alloy surrounds the analog gauges, vent rings and knobs, and audio switches. For 2009, Nissan designers moved the shifter lever closer to the driver for easy reach while the cup holders are to the right of the shifter instead of behind it. The tachometer has been slightly tilted, enhancing the sporty appearance of the instrument cluster. With the key fob in the pocket, you can press the start button to turn on the car. The three-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel offers an unyielding grip. Other standard amenities are moon roof, 60/40-rear seat, eight-way power driver and four-way passenger’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, digital clock and metallic-tone trim on the dash and center console.

The sedan comes equipped with several standard safety features, including dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for both rows, four-wheel antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist, traction control, antiskid system, front-seat active head restraints, front and rear crumple zones and tire pressure monitoring system.

The Maxima isn’t just any sedan. It’s a sports sedan that makes for a thrilling ride, thanks to tremendous power and bold styling in and out. And with the redesign, Nissan has a winner on its hands to leave the competition in the dust.

2009 NISSAN MAXIMA

Tires: P245/45R18

Wheelbase: 109.3 inches

Length: 190.6 inches

Width: 73.2 inches

Height: 57.8 inches

Weight: 3,579 pounds

Passenger space: 96.2 cubic feet

Fuel capacity: 20 gallons

City: 19 mpg

Highway: 26 mpg

Base price: $31,990

Web site: www.nissanusa.com

2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN, DODGE DURANGO HYBRIDS SET TO HIT THE ROAD

2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN HYBRID                2009 DODGE DURANGO 

Looking for a ride with SUV performance, capability, comfort, utility and fuel efficiency? Well, your wait got shorter with the soon-to-debut of the 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango full-size hybrid SUVs.

            Both the vehicles feature a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine, which blasts off 385 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 380 pounds-feet of torque at 4200 rpm. Chrysler claims there is a 40 percent improvement in fuel efficiency in city driving and 25 percent overall. This can be attributed to the Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which shuts down four cylinders while cruising, thereby saving fuel.

            The two-mode hybrid system in the vehicles, which gets assist from the electric motors, is shared by GM, Mercedes and BMW. In first mode, the vehicle operates in electric or engine power only or a combination of both. In electric-only operation, the engine is shut off with the vehicle moving under electric-only power at about 25 mph. The second mode, used primarily at highway speed, provides power when necessary from the HEMI V-8 engine as conditions demand.

            Chrysler folks justify the reason for building the two vehicles. “Both offer performance like any other gasoline-powered vehicles,” they say. “Why a full-size SUV as a hybrid? Because there is a market for such vehicles with 1.5 million SUVs being sold annually. Buyers need the space for hauling cargo and passengers and for tow purposes while simultaneously earning good fuel efficiency.

            The Durango hybrid is base-priced at $45,340, the Aspen hybrid is base-priced at $44,570 with EPA estimated fuel economy figures of 19 mpg in city and 20 mpg on the highway (fuel capacity: 27 gallons). Plus, you get a tax credit of $1,800 for purchase. “We’ve the right vehicles, the right technology, the right package,” say the folks at Chrysler. We couldn’t agree more.

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2009 NISSAN TITAN 4X4 PRO-4X IS PERFECT FOR OFF-ROADING

Though the Titan carries over with minor changes such as a revised front end, new headlights, fog lamps and grille designs, it gets a new model PRO-4X. As is apparent from the name, this full-size pickup is geared toward the off-road enthusiast. So, it is equipped with a four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer case, traction control, an electronic locking rear differential and steel skid plates to tackle the vigor of off-road driving.

A 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8 engine pumps out 317 horsepower at 4900 rpm and 385 pounds-feet of torque at 4900 rpm. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Tow capability? A creditable 9,500 pounds. The power rack-and-pinion steering system is shifts seamlessly. A double wishbone front and an over slung leaf spring in the rear make up the solid suspension system, resulting in a secure ride. That brings us to some of the numerous standard safety features in the pickup: dual front airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, front seat active head restraints, 13.8-inch front and 12.6-inch rear vented disc brakes, energy-absorbing steering column, front and rear crumple zones, tire pressure monitoring system and LATCH.

The sportier appearance of the body-on-frame Titan can be attributed to a body-colored grille surrounded by halogen headlights with fog lamps underneath. It sits on standard 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a 7-foot bed. Stepping into the cabin is trouble-free, thanks to full-size, forward-hinging doors. That this is more of an off-road vehicle than its counterpart is evident from the PRO-4X embossed on the front seatbacks. The three-spoke steering wheel is bulky as is the leather-wrapped floor shifter. Loading up personal belongings is made convenient because of a huge storage area in the center console that can even hold your laptop computer. The 60/40 rear seat folds flat as does the front-passenger seat. A revised seven-gauge instrument panel is made up of the speedometer, tachometer, water temperature, fuel, oil, temperature/pressure and volt readings.

Opt for the $1,250 PRO-4X Utility Package if you would like a factory-applied bedliner, an adjustable multi- tie-downs bed system, tailgate area lighting and 12-volt power point, and Class IV integrated receiver hatch.

Off-road enthusiasts don’t have any reasons to complain now. This long overdue PRO-4X model should quench their thirst to venture out and off to the rugged terrain. The powerful pickup is loaded with features and amenities that should make for fun off-road. Safe motoring to all.

TITAN PRO-4X SPECIFICATIONS

Wheelbase: 159.5 inches

Length: 244.2 inches

Width: 79.5 inches

Weight: 5,618 pounds

Fuel capacity: 37 gallons

Highway: 17 mpg

City: 12 mpg

Base price: $36,290

Price as tested: $41,440

Website: www.nissan.com