The CTS has been the keystone to Cadillac's "reinvention" since 2003, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. Despite being on the road for nearly four years, the second-generation CTS still holds up well, Hanley says. For the 2012 model year, it receives a few exterior refinements and, while mostly untouched, the interior of the CTS still feels well-appointed. The only major downside is the cramped backseat, he says.
Weak sales and a new hybrid on the horizon have prompted Lexus to cancel its HS 250h compact hybrid sedan.
"Production of the HS 250h ceased in January 2012. Lexus continues to monitor sales for each product and we make adjustments to make sure that we meet market demand, and the discontinuation of HS was part of that adjustment," spokesman Curt McAllister told Cars.com.
Sales of the HS 250h have been tapering off for a while. Last year, Lexus sold just 2,864 units compared to 10,663 in 2010. So far this year, sales are down 40% compared to 2011; just 28 were sold in April.
Though Lexus claims it's not a replacement for the HS, the brand's ES 300h hybrid sedan is due later this year. Power will come from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system and a two-speed continuously variable automatic transmission. Lexus says the ES 300h will likely achieve an EPA-estimated 40/38 mpg city/highway. The EPA rates the HS 250h at 35/34 mpg.
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2013 Lexus ES 300h at the 2012 New York Auto Show
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Event data recorders, aka "black boxes," are already prevalent in new cars, but a new law would make them standard on all vehicles, according to Car and Driver. The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that would mandate event data recorders for all new cars by the 2015 model year. The law also states that the car's owner will control the black box info, though the owner could be forced to share it in cases of a court order, says the magazine. The House of Representatives is expected to pass its version of the EDR mandate law, though both versions would have to be reconciled before becoming law. The Department of Transportation has already developed a standard data set for black boxes, which goes into effect for the 2013 model year. It stipulates that event data records must record five seconds worth of pre-crash data, including forward crash speed, the speed the vehicle was traveling, whether brakes were applied and time of airbag deployment. Black boxes are useful for investigating accidents and helping to establish culpability — whether that be the manufacturer — such as Toyota in its sudden acceleration scandal — or the driver themselves.
In other news:
Today, Lexus announced it's recalling around 650 model-year 2013 versions of the GS 350 F rear-wheel-drive sedan because of issues with the variable gear ratio steering electronic control unit.
According to Lexus, the electronic control unit for the VGRS system could cause the steering wheel to become off-centered when restarting the vehicle immediately after it’s parked with the steering wheel turned. This could lead to an increased risk of an accident.
The automaker will notify owners starting in early June, and dealers will replace the affected parts free of charge. Lexus says the fix will take around 30 minutes. Owners can call Lexus at 800-255-3987 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.
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Research the 2013 Lexus GS 350 F
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In the search for power and a nice exhaust sound, I’ve installed aftermarket exhausts on my cars that attracted unwanted attention. My neighbors tipped off the police, leaving me with a $75 noise violation ticket. Thanks again, jerks. Fiat’s turbocharged, 160-horsepower 500 Abarth may not be as rowdy as my Trans Am, but its loud exhaust has enough volume that I’m being extra nice to the neighbors this week.
The all-new Mazda CX-5 has its work cut out for it. This compact crossover is Mazda's latest attempt to compete in a segment chock-full of popular family vehicles. The CX-5, which replaces the Tribute SUV, seats five.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.
The EPA recently approved the use of E15 fuel at gas stations, but several groups, including the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, say that the ruling is premature and will have dangerous consequences. The organization contends that the 15% ethanol and 85% gasoline blend is harmful to engines.
USA Today is reporting that several industry trade groups agree that more testing should be done. The Auto Alliance and Global Automakers and the Coordinating Research Council say that testing wasn’t finished and adding more ethanol to gasoline means engines and other mechanical parts could be negatively affected by its corrosive alcohol content.
If you have one or two children and like a bit of luxury with your practicality, the 2012 Volvo XC70 is worth a look, says Cars.com Family contributor Courtney Messenbaugh. While this five-seat wagon is versatile, it lacks great fuel economy and a bevy of cupholders (it only has four).
Ford canceled the Escape Hybrid for 2013, but the automaker is quickly replacing it with its first dedicated hybrid crossover. When the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will start at $25,995. (A destination fee was not given.)
The C-Max “will be more affordable than the Toyota Prius v while achieving better fuel economy,” Ford said. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a lithium-ion battery-powered motor, which replaces the nickel-metal hydride pack in the Escape Hybrid. The new battery is 25% to 30% smaller and 50% lighter, according to Ford. EPA numbers haven’t been released, but Ford promises the C-Max Hybrid will achieve better gas mileage than the current Ford Fusion Hybrid’s 41 mpg city rating.
“C-Max Hybrid benefits from 20 years of research and innovation behind the software and hardware technology driving it, with many of Ford’s almost 500 hybrid vehicle-related patents contained within,” the automaker said in a statement.
Enthusiasts still in shock over the departure of the Pontiac G8 have a new savior. Chevrolet made it official today: The automaker will launch a new performance sedan called the 2014 Chevrolet SS in early 2013.
Like the G8, the SS borrows its shape and mechanicals from a Holden Commodore. Unlike the G8, however, the SS will be available only with a V-8 engine. The SS will be based off the upcoming VF Commodore, which is a refreshed version of the Commodore on which the G8 was based. Don't expect the dead Pontiac and the new Chevrolet to look the same.
The model marks Chevrolet's first rear-wheel-drive sedan in over 17 years, according to the automaker. It will arrive in limited production early next year, and it will replace the Impala racecar at NASCAR's Sprint Series in 2013, too, GM says.
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