GM Adds iPod Adapter to Some Cars

A big trend in the automotive industry is to offer optional iPod adapters that not only plug portable players into car stereos, but also display track information and allow drivers to control the iPod through the stock stereo. GM is getting into the game a bit late and on a limited basis by offering its new Personal Audio Link on the Chevy HHR, Chevy Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky only, at a cost of $159.

The price may sound expensive, especially because it doesn’t include installation, but it’s priced comparably to other manufacturers out there. Scion of course includes similar iPod links as standard equipment. We’re a bit surprised that this GM adapter isn’t available in more vehicles across its brands, but perhaps more current models will be added. Future models like the upcoming 2008 Cadillac CTS have iPod integration built-in. 

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

I spent some quality time recently with Nissan’s first attempt at a two-door Altima. It’s an intriguing proposition that has a lot going for it, including one of the few CVTs I’ve ever actually enjoyed driving. There are still questions on the practicality of a coupe this size that still leaves little legroom, and even less headroom in the rear seats. Check out the full review at the link and keep reading for a video recap.

2008 Nissan Altima Expert Review

The Urban DINK: 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300

This is what this column is all about. The new Mercedes-Benz C300 came into the fleet, and guess who got the first night alone with this bad boy? That’s right, the DINK. Mike Hanley actually got more time with it and wrote the full review on the C300, and I think overall his points on the driving feel are dead-on. What I found fault with in the review was the fact that there was no mention that this is the perfect car for an Urban DINK.

Now, to be sure, our full-length car reviews are supposed to address the broadest audience, which is why Suburban Dad, Weekend Athlete and Urban Dink exist on this blog. The C300 has a lot going for it, Dink or no. It has a low starting price — less than the Lexus ES 350, Acura TL, BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G35. Plus it has a decent list of standard features.

The test car had a lot of options, though, like a slick navigations system, a superb surround-sound stereo system, a double-paned sunroof and an iPod adapter in the glove box. I thought the interior was very well done, with Mercedes continuing to stun with its gauge design. The leather on the seats was nice to the touch, but they sure were firm. My only major beef with the inside of the C300 was the plastic shift knob.

Toyota Testing Plug-In Hybrid Prius

It’s not often we hear about Toyota following GM and Ford in the hybrid race, but today the company announced it would test eight plug-in hybrids on public roads in Japan. The company showed off a Prius converted to be a plug-in. This allows the hybrid to travel up to 8 miles at a time on just the electric motor, compared to the 1.7 miles the standard Prius can travel on electricity.

Even Toyota admits that selling these types of plug-in hybrids to the public won’t happen for “some time,” as battery technology hasn’t advanced far enough to make the vehicles practical for buyers.

Unlike the plug-in hybrids Ford and GM are working on, the Toyota version will use a gasoline engine to power the car after the electric motor has run out of a charge. Ford and GM are working on a system where the gasoline engine is basically a generator that will recharge the electric motor, which will propel the car at all times.

Toyota Develops Plug-in Hybrid Car for Public Road Tests (The Detroit News)

Chrysler Adds More Cash Back in July

Chrysler Group incentives — especially on the Dodge Ram 1500 regular cab — are already among the highest the summer has to offer, but that hasn't stopped the manufacturer from rolling out some additional cash-back offers for the rest of July.

Most Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler models have received a cash-back offer in tandem with current financing offers, allowing customers to choose low-rate financing plans with a new cash bonus. For example, those interested in the Dodge Durango now have the option of $4,500 cash back, or 0% financing for 60 months plus $1,000 cash back. All offers expire July 31.

Check out the full incentives for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and other manufacturers at Cars.com's Incentives page.

Weekend Athlete: 2007 Acura RDX

I took the RDX to my favorite triathlon, just over the border in Kenosha, Wis., followed by a weekend of camping at a state park another three hours away, so for once the car and I both got a good workout. The RDX was a nice companion, but not spectacular as a cargo vehicle. It doesn't offer more space or utility than others I've tested, so it's not the new champion, but there are some interesting twists to it.

For starters, someone at the triathlon said it looked fast. It is. Especially with Sport mode engaged, there's enough oomph for passing and maneuvering on the highway. The best part is the whistling of its turbo — I could not get enough of that.

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2008 Mazda CX-7, CX-9

As we continue our look at 2008-model-year changes, we‘re a bit surprised to see models that were new for 2007 having any alterations at all. The new CX-7 and CX-9 crossovers were huge new launches for Mazda this past year, and the CX-9 even won our three-row-crossover Faceoff against the GMC Acadia and Hyundai Veracruz. Mazda, however, saw some small changes that needed to be made.

For 2008, the CX-9 gets an entirely new engine. The new 3.7-liter V-6 gets 273 hp, a 10-hp bump over the engine it replaces. It gets roughly the same mileage, taking the more-stringent 2008 EPA tests into account. A new blind-spot monitoring system will also be available.

Changes to the 2008 CX-7 are less extreme but also impact the engine. The company has modified the CX-7’s impressive four-cylinder turbo engine so that premium fuel is now recommended, not required. That means owners can fill up on regular when gas prices spike too high too swallow.

The 2008 CX-7s and CX-9s are beginning to arrive at dealers this month.

Related
Ch-Ch-Changes: Mazdaspeed6, Mazda6 Wagon Dropped for 2008 (KickingTires)
Research 2008 Mazda CX-7 (Cars.com)
Research 2008 Mazda CX-9 (Cars.com)

Perfect for Lindsay Lohan: Nissan's New On-Board Breathalyzer

Manufacturers like Saab, Toyota and Volvo have already developed breathalyzers in their cars, and now Nissan is joining them. The company is testing a new system in Japan that will force drivers to blow into a breathalyzer to start the car. If they blow and the level is above the specified limit, the ignition will be disabled.

Nissan will test the system in real-world situations, partnering with local authorities in two Japanese cities. It will be interesting to see if the technology has a practical application. We joke about Lindsay Lohan, but as traffic deaths have declined in the U.S., traffic deaths involving alcohol have not, and devices like these could be the next court-ordered gadget to curb drunken driving.

Related
Toyota Joining Alcohol-Detection Crowd (KickingTires)
Can Technology Prevent Drunken Driving? (KickingTires)

Buy Now or Wait?

Summer is here, so the question naturally arises: Buy before the new models come out this fall and absorb a 2007 model's year of depreciation, or wait a few more weeks to buy a new vehicle and lose out on the year-end discounts.

"It used to be that if you waited for year-end discounts you paid more than you wanted because those end-of-the-year cars were loaded with options that would offset any discount," said Art Spinella, general manager of CNW Marketing Research, a Bandon, Ore.-based company that specializes in why people buy the vehicles they do. "But today people are premium shoppers and load cars with 90 percent of the options offered anyway, so by waiting for year-end discounts it's not that you have to pay more for options as it is, you end up having to settle for the silver car because the blue ones are all gone."

Spinella says the number of people who wait to buy at the end of the model year is on the rise.

Ch-Ch-Changes: Honda Civic Si Mugen Coming in October

Not much has changed in the Civic lineup for 2008. Last year, the addition of a four-door Si model was the big news. This year, a higher-performance version of the performance trim, called the Mugen edition, will join the lineup in October. There will only be 1,000 of the sedans made for 2008 — up from the 500 originally slated — and all Honda will say about pricing is that it will be under $30,000. A base Civic Si sedan starts under $22,000.

The Mugen Si only comes in one color, Fiji Blue Pearl, and upgrades include:

• Lightweight 18-inch wheels and summer tires
• Track-tuned suspension
• Aerodynamics kit for the front, rear and sides
• Rear spoiler
• Sport exhaust system
• Unique interior trim

Related
Limited Edition Civic Si Sedan on the Way (KickingTires)
Civic Si Sedan Expert Review (Cars.com)
2007 Civic Si Sedan: Performance with Four Doors (KickingTires)