Mercedes-Benz Announces 500-hp SUV

We like 500-horsepower cars as much as the next automotive publication, just check out our coverage of the Ford Shelby GT500. But we wonder why in the world Mercedes-Benz decided to stuff a 5.5-liter supercharged V-8 into its new 2007 G55 AMG. We may sound wimpy here, but the fact that this heavy SUV can now hustle to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds kind of scares us. As our resident car-mudgeon Joe Wiesenfelder said on hearing about the new G55: “Did you see the Bourne Supremacy? I’m all for suspending disbelief, but that thing should have rolled over about 20 times.”

Mercedes will actually make another 510-hp SUV, the ML63 AMG. But it looks like a sports car compared to the G55. No official word on the sale date for the 2007 G 55, but expect it by the end of 2006 at a price above the current model's sticker of $105,275.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

New Car Keys not so Secure

The August issue of Wired magazine has an excellent article on the impact of transponder security systems and how they’ve been circumnavigated by savvy car thieves. The technology has been around for a number of years. A small microchip in the key sends a signal to the car’s computer that tells it to start. Theoretically, if you don’t have one of the car’s own sets of keys you can’t get the engine to start. Theoretically.

In the Wired piece there are a number of heart-wrenching stories by ordinary folks accused of insurance fraud simply because no one thought this technology could be beaten. If you have some time make sure to get through to the end of the story, where the author discovers he can hotwire his own Honda simply by applying the handbrake in a certain pattern. Scary.

[Pinch My Ride, Wired magazine]

Mazda5: My Take

In our quest to offer as many viewpoints about new models as possible, I respectfully offer my thoughts on the Mazda5 mini-minivan Mike Hanley recently reviewed over on the main Cars.com page.

While I agree with Mike that the Mazda5 is a nifty little people-mover, I just don’t understand who would want one. It seems too small for today’s real-life family and too pedestrian for a commute vehicle. Perhaps it would work best as a higher-mileage suburban shuttle for soccer moms, but it would have to stay home on lengthy commutes.

Sirius Standard on 2007 Mitsubishis

This morning, Mitsubishi announced it would offer Sirius Satellite radio standard on all 2007 models. That means Howard Stern fans don’t have to worry about getting a new stereo or an add-on. The 2007s will include six months of prepaid service and then owners will have to pay after that. Sirius’ monthly fee is $12.95.

While we enjoy satellite radio, paying for radio content still seems a foreign concept. By making it standard, Mitsubishi has found another way to attract much needed attention to its line-up. Unfortunately, Sirius alone won’t sell cars.

[Source: Sirius]

2006 Kia Sedona: My Take

My family has a 2004 Kia Sedona, and we’ve been really happy with it, so I was excited earlier this week to catch a ride in the 2006 Sedona. It was impressive.

The center console was much better designed, with the controls more intuitive. I liked the more upscale look of them as well, with a nice faux-wood look that didn’t look like it would fade horribly within a couple of years. My kids would have killed to get the second row windows that roll down that the '06 sports; too often, they are desperately asking us to roll our windows down to get some airflow through the back. It does make me wonder about how safe those windows are with *very* young kids — I’m told that it comes with a parent lock — but with older kids it shouldn’t be an issue.

Mazdaspeed3 Price Announced

Mazda’s next high performance car now has a starting price. An updated Mazda webpage lists the starting price for the Sport model of the Mazdaspeed3 at $22,800 while the Grand Touring trim level starts at $24,515. Both come with a 250+ hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission. The Grand Touring’s heftier price tag includes rain-sensing windshield wipers, Xenon headlights, LED rear taillights, upgraded cloth seats and Bose sound system.

A formal horsepower rating hasn’t been given but we’d guess it’ll be around 255 hp. The torque figure of 280 lb-ft is almost more impressive than the 250+ hp number and equals that of the larger Mazdaspeed6. The Mazdaspeed3 is listing a respectable 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Unlike the Mazdaspeed 6, the 3 will not be all-wheel-drive. All the power will go to the front wheels. When it arrives this fall the Mazdaspeed3 will be competing against the similarly priced Civic Si, Volkswagen GTI and the soon to be released Dodge Caliber SRT-4. The sport hatchback market is definitely seeing a renaissance in the U.S.

[Source: Mazda via Autoblog]

2007 Jeep Compass Review Preview

One of the crews that deliver our test vehicles just pulled up in a nice and shiny black 2007 Jeep Compass. For the next week I’ll be putting it through its paces on the highway, around town, filling it with cargo. You get the idea. But today, I just had to go to the dry cleaners. Here’s a a little preview of what my review will say:

2007 G35 Horsepower Revealed: It's 306

Try as we might through hobnobbing, Infiniti wouldn’t reveal the total horsepower for the next G35 at the sedan’s New York unveiling in April. Instead they tossed us a vague estimate — “300-plus” — presumably to deflect accusations that the new car kept the current 298-hp G35 engine.

The number is in, and it’s 306.

Before you bemoan a mere 8-hp difference, realize that this revised engine is certified to the newest SAE standards, which typically sap power figures when they’re applied (and they weren’t used for the ‘06 G35). Also, Infiniti says the updated engine uses ram-air intake plumbing to compress more atmosphere at higher speeds, so you might find a few extra horses on the highway.

Above all, remember that Nissan’s 3.5-liter V-6 is still a darn good engine and is used in other vehicles in the company’s line-up. In the last G35 I drove, it proved to be smooth, powerful and well-matched to Infiniti’s flickable six-speed stick. All that with a mere 298 hp.

So 306 is good. It matches Lexus’ IS 350 and should hold its own against BMW’s 300-hp 335i. Where Infiniti wins is with value: The current G35 starts just over $31,000, a bargain compared to the $35,440 Lexus and $41,295 BMW. With a refurbished cabin, revised motor and new exterior, the 2007 G35 could take a modest hike and still come in first.

[Source: Nissan]

Ford Says No Rebates for New Crossovers

We’re not surprised by the news that Ford won’t offer cash rebates on its new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers. They go on sale in November but prices have not been announced. Ford execs say the pricing will be aggressive enough to attract plenty of buyers, without needing incentives.

The Edge’s … um … edgy design looks to be another winner for Ford, building on the success of its Fusion sedan. We also dig the cohesiveness in both vehicles’ designs. But there couldn’t be a worse time for the Edge to be released. End of the year sales numbers won’t help Ford and by January the news will be awash in new models from the Detroit Auto Show stealing even more of its thunder. If you’re looking for an all-new crossover right now, Mazda’s similarly-sized CX-7 quietly hit dealerships last month.

[Holding Strong, Automotive News]

2008 Dodge Challenger to Look Just Like Concept

Car aficionados often get bummed out when the concept car they’ve been fantasizing about for years finally hits the dealership, but only looks like a shell of its auto show glory. That’s not going to be the case for the Dodge Challenger, which debuted in Detroit this year as a concept car.

At an event yesterday, Chrysler’s top designer Tom Tremont stated the production 2008 Challenger will look nearly identical to the concept shown here. "You're not going to be able to tell the difference," Tremont said. Don’t expect to be able to buy a “real” Challenger until well into next year. But we can guess that the production version will grace the 2007 Detroit Auto Show in January and then all those aficionados will be able to see if Tom is telling the truth.

[Challenger Stays True to Roots, Detroit News]