New License Plate Scanner Finds Stolen Cars

Arizona’s Department of Public Safety is testing a new scanner in police cars that can read the license plates of passing cars. The system then sends the information through a computer, and if a suspect plate goes by an alarm sounds. Now, police officers say they’re lucky to run 40 plates on a normal day. The new system can run 1,500 a day.

Privacy advocates are alarmed because the information gathered — even from non-offending vehicles — is stored for up to three months. This is to prevent fraud, as well as to help car owners who don’t realize their car has been stolen for an extended period of time.

[DPS Tests Devices That Scan All Plates Going By, The Arizona Daily Star]

2007 Saturn Sky Redline: First Drive

Saturn introduced the Sky roadster in March, and ever since it's been moving off dealership lots faster than almost any model in the country. The stunner is an exercise in cost efficiency — it’s only $25,195, and offers a sporty feel — though it never delivers a true sports-car feel because of its anemic 177-hp engine. The Red Line version features a turbocharged version of the Sky’s four-cylinder engine, bumping power to 260 hp. Did it help?

Mike Hanley: I don't think small-roadster enthusiasts will be disappointed in the Red Line. The regular Sky is an eye-catching roadster, and putting a turbocharged 260-hp engine under its hood finally fulfills the promise of its looks. The Red Line's engine hits its stride at around 4,000 rpm and pulls strongly up to its redline. I just wish the redline were a little bit farther up the tach; it's all too easy to hit the rev limiter when pushing the smooth-spinning four-cylinder. There are some clanking sounds in the driveline at parking lot speeds, but they disappear once you're under way.

The suspension is firm, but it delivered a relatively compliant ride on the predominately rough roads I drove. There's not much extra room in the cockpit, but it's not overly snug for its class, either.

2007 Saturn Vue Green Line: First Drive

The Vue Green Line Hybrid is the first in a line of “affordable” hybrids coming from GM in the next few years. The company’s hybrid system allows for cost-efficient integration across a number of vehicle platforms, including larger SUVs. Starting next year, GM will put it in a car for the first time — the Saturn Aura.

The eco-friendly Vue gets 27/32 mpg city/highway, but the Ford Escape Hybrid bests it in the city with 36/31 mpg. Luckily for GM, the Vue costs $22,995, compared to the $26,240 sticker on the Escape. Unfortunately, due to some time constraints, I was the only staffer to get behind the wheel for an extended drive.

2007 Saturn Aura: First Drive

Yesterday, a few of us from Cars.com were invited to an early ride-and-drive event for GM’s upcoming model year. Most of the day was dedicated to the Saturn line, with three new vehicles for us to test. Most important to the company is the new midsize Aura sedan, and it elicited some interesting feedback from the staff.

David Thomas: Saturn has delivered one of the best-handling, smoothest-riding and dead-quiet midsize sedans on the market. The Aura is just a marvel of affordable engineering. Too bad the interior lacks the same refinement as the new SUVs and trucks from GM. I don’t think the company has moved fast enough to translate those top-of-the-class cabins to its cars quite yet.

New Study Names Most Environmentally Friendly Cars

J.D. Power has released its first annual study of environmentally friendly vehicles. As expected, hybrids rank high in the list, but 22 of the top 30 vehicles were conventional gasoline ones like the Chevy Cobalt, Ford Focus and Honda Civic. The study used EPA data and J.D. Power's “voice-of-the-customer” data to come up with the list. Fuel economy, not surprisingly, was the main factor for customers. Another fun tidbit from the study was the fact that shoppers considering hybrids expected to get on average a 28-mpg improvement when moving to a hybrid vehicle. The reality is closer to 9 mpg. Click below for the full list of J.D. Power's environmentally friendly cars.

Pricing Announced for Aspen, Sebring

After a summer of gas prices hovering around $3 a gallon, it doesn't seem strictly logical that a new truck-based SUV will top anybody's shopping list, but Chrysler says its Aspen will find a niche nonetheless; 4x2 versions will start at $30,745, the manufacturer announced today, with 4x4 versions checking in at $33,520.

A 4.7-liter V-8 and five-speed automatic transmission are standard in the Aspen, along with an electronic stability system, side curtain airbags and seating for seven. A 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is optional, along with adjustable pedals, heated front seats and a three-place third-row seat that ups seating capacity to eight. A DVD entertainment system, navigation system and sunroof can also be added.

Chrysler also announced pricing for its 2007 Sebring; base models start at $18,320 and include a standard 173-hp, 2.4-liter engine and four-speed automatic. That configuration translates to 24/32 mpg city/highway. Side curtain and side-impact airbags are standard, as are antilock brakes, a telescoping steering wheel and MP3 connectivity.

Touring models, which come standard with a 189-hp, 2.7-liter V-6, begin at $19,520 and add such niceties as a brushed aluminum instrument panel, flat-folding front passenger seat and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Touring options include MyGIG (a Harman Kardon navigation/entertainment system), heated/cooled cupholders and an electronic stability system.

Sebring Limited models will start at $23,320 and can be powered by either the standard 2.7-liter V-6 or an optional 235-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 that teams with a six-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick manual shifting. Standard features include fog lamps, chrome exterior door handles, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Chrysler Boards 0% Bandwagon

After this summer's less-than-dazzling return to employee-pricing incentives, Chrysler is ending the promotion this weekend and replacing it with a more sure thing: zero percent financing on all 2006 models.

Starting Friday, qualified buyers (in contrast to Ford's offer of 0% for virtually everyone) can get no-interest loans for up to six years. The deal will run through the end of September. Ford and GM are keeping current programs in place through Labor Day weekend.

The Detroit News is reporting that Chrysler expects to lose about $600 million in the third quarter; if that proves true, it would end a 12-quarter streak of positive earnings for the automaker. The timing seems just right for the onslaught of new products Chrysler is releasing this year, with most of its record 10 introductions hitting the market right about now.

Of course, all those 2007 models are exempt from the new incentive; Chrysler simply wants to clear out the '06s in order to make room for all the newbies.

[Chrysler to Roll Out 0% Deals, The Detroit News]

2007 Suzuki SX4 and XL7 Pricing Now In

Suzuki just announced pricing for its new SX4 compact car and XL7 midsize crossover. The SX4 is an all-new four-door hatchback with all-wheel drive and starts at $14,999. The XL7 is redesigned for 2007 and starts at $22,899. The car-based SUV will hit showrooms later this fall, but the SX4 is arriving at dealerships now.

The company's press release says the SX4 is the most affordable all-wheel-drive car in its segment, but right now we can't find a single AWD vehicle in our database that starts for less. The SX4 has a 143-hp four-cylinder engine and includes standard side-impact and side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, 16-inch alloy wheels and power windows. There's also a Sport trim that adds traction and stability control, cruise control, a more powerful stereo and exterior enhancements for a starting MSRP of $16,399. Mileage comes in at 23/28 mpg city/highway for the manual transmission and 24/30 mpg for the automatic. That might not be as high as other compacts, but the assurance of an all-wheel-drive system also means lesser fuel economy.

Book Review: Branding Iron

Charlie Hughes and William Jeanes, a longtime automotive exec and a writer who’s worked in the industry for years, take a pretty hard shot at U.S. automakers in their soon-to-be-released book, "Branding Iron."

Hughes and Jeanes don't offer much in the way of new thinking about the mess that U.S. automakers are in: They tell GM that it needs to cut way back on the number of brands it has; they tell both GM and Ford to build cars that are more distinctive, less cookie-cutter; and they tell all automakers to stop chasing every car buyer and focus just on those who are likely to buy their brand.

This is all good advice and we've recently heard about GM combining more of its brands under fewer dealerships. The authors ask why GM should offer virtually the same truck under four different badges? Where I disagree with them is when they suggest that GM cut Hummer because the manufacturer already makes enough trucks. To me, at least a Hummer is distinctive, not just another Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Escalade.

Subaru Drops New Grille

It only appeared on two new vehicles, but it was such a polarizing design cue that Subaru has changed its course and will no longer incorporate the “propeller” grille on future vehicles. The news comes after a dismal reception for the Subaru B9 Tribeca SUV less than two years ago, which may have led to Subaru’s chief designer being fired. That came after the current Impreza had just received the new grille treatment, too, simply because this was supposed to be Subaru’s defining look.

Next, expect to see more subtle faces on your friendly neighborhood Subarus as the company plans a mild revision to the Outback and Legacy this fall. An all-new Impreza — designed by the outgoing design chief — will be revealed next year. We can’t wait to see what it looks like. 

[Subaru "Propeller" Grille to Change, Carsguide.com]