2009 Honda Fit Sport: Redesigned

It’s no secret Fit is Honda’s smallest car. For 2009 the carmaker has lengthened the wheelbase by two inches and the overall length by four. The now slightly longer wheelbase has improved both the ride and the handling.

Under the hood purrs a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with eight more horsepower than last year. That boost in hp pays big dividends in acceleration. Honda Fit is fast enough to make most drivers happy. More specifically, its zero to 60 mph elapsed time is about ten seconds. No big surprise, fuel economy is very good and Fit burns regular-grade gas.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a five-speed automatic transmission optional. During test drives I’ve noticed performance is markedly livelier with the manual transmission. Atypically the automatic gets one or two mpg better than the stick. Fit is available in two different trim levels, Base and Sport. Sport models equipped with the automatic transmission feature steering-wheel shift paddles plus a Sport mode that keeps the transmission in a lower gear for crisper throttle response.

Honda Fit Sport models also have aerodynamic body add-ons, upgraded trim and low profile 16-inch alloy wheels, where the base model features 15-inch steel wheels. For the record, last year’s tires and wheels were 14s. Sport models, with jazzed-up suspension tuning, are particularly nimble handlers. The ride is more comfortable than you‘d expect from a small car.

Compared to last year’s model Fit’s interior feels roomier than the slightly longer wheelbase would account for. I did some checking. The windshield base was moved forward by nearly five inches and the front quarter windows are three times larger than before. The visual effect is an airy feel. More good news, the reshaped front seats are noticeably more comfortable. And the steering wheel now tilts and telescopes. The gas pedal now moves fore and aft instead of up and down, a more comfortable movement.

Slide behind the wheel and one of the first things you notice is the absence of a center console, and therefore, there is no center armrest. Though Sport models have seat-mounted fold-down arm rests. Even though there’s no height adjustment for the seats, the seats are mounted high enough to provide good all around visibility. Headroom is good, but legroom seems a little tight for tall drivers. One harsh criticism, the sun visors are useless when rotated out to the sides. I noticed how the headrests are recessed into the seatbacks so how they don’t need to be removed to fold the seats down.

Honda claims Fit seats five passengers It‘s true to its word. For such a small vehicle, headroom and legroom are generous, even when the front seats scooted all the way back. The good news gets even better. The rear seat cushions tip up creating a tall, across-the-width-of-the-car cargo slot. Also, rear seatbacks make room for long items. Other amenities include 10 cup holders which double as storage bins plus several smaller cubbies, a glove box, an under-seat tray and map pockets.

Take note that the 2009 Fit incorporates Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. Translation: a load-bearing frame structure that disperse frontal crash energy and matches the Fit bumper heights with other vehicles. Active front head restraints are also new this year. Other standard safety equipment includes dual-stage, dual threshold front air bags; torso-protecting front side air bags; head-protecting curtain side air bags; tire-pressure monitor; and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. Traction control and electronic stability control are optional.

The base model Fit comes standard with air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), auxiliary audio input jack, power windows, power mirrors and power door locks.

Spending a little more money for the Sport adds cruise control, remote keyless entry and fog lights. While Sport with the navigation package adds traction control, an antiskid system and daytime running lights. The Fit Sport audio system boasts six speakers, a five-mode equalizer and a USB Audio Interface.

New for 2009, the Fit can be equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition displaying information and more than 7 million points of interest on a 6.5-inch screen . Models equipped with the navigation system also include Vehicle Stability Assist, also known as electronic stability control.

Finally, the bumper to bumper warranty term runs for three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain term runs for five years or 60,000 miles. The body panels are protected for five years with no mileage limitation.

Wheelbase 98.4”
Engine 1.5L I-4
HP 117 @ 6600
Transmission
Mileage 27/33 mpg
Fuel 10.6 gallons
Curb weight 2489 pounds
Base Price $14,450
As tested $16,910

2008 Mini Cooper S Hardtop

Retro Cute and Fun To Drive

Fifty years ago in 1957 when fuel prices were soaring due to a MidEast oil crisis, Sir Leonard Lord commissioned the Morris company to build a small, fuel efficient car capable of transporting four adults. They called the creation the Mini. In 1961 British Racing legend John Cooper bought the carmaker. Tweaking and tuning engine and suspension, the Mini became a giant killer at road rallies. When the car finally debuted in the United States in 2002, it was bigger, stronger, and faster than ever.

Today’s Mini is a minimalist dream. It boasts a low price, great fuel economy and pulse quickening performance. I test drove a Cooper S model with its turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine rated a respectable 172 horsepower. The transmission was a six-speed manual. A Continuously Variable Transmission (automatic) is optional, along with paddle shifters.

All around performance is excellent. I clocked a zero to 60 mph speed run in 6.5 seconds flat. The good news gets even better. Fuel economy is amazingly good, with 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. With the automatic transmission fuel economy worsens by about 2 mpg. Range calculates out to about 449 miles on a full tank of gas.

Handling manners are legendary. To say a Mini is nimble is an understatement. Part of that surefootedness is due to a wide track and an ultra rigid body. A wider stance is more stable and the stiff body provides a firmer foundation for the suspension components to do their good work. This car is lots of fun to drive especially on Iowa back roads.

Interior accommodations for the driver and front seat passenger are pretty darn good. The space is fairly wide, with decent legroom and headroom. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes. One negative aspect, the back seat is puny, with virtually nonexistent legroom. But that’s hardly an issue to most of the drivers who would be interested in the car. Trunk space is modest, though, folding the 50/50-split rear seat opens up a square-shaped cargo area.

Mini Coopers are sold at most BMW dealers in base model, S model and John Cooper Works. The base model Mini Cooper comes standard with a selectable Sport setting for steering and throttle response, power windows, power door locks, air-conditioning, a trip computer and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack. Tires are 15-inchers mounted on alloy wheels. Upholstery is leatherette, which is simply another way of saying premium vinyl.

Moving up a notch to the Cooper S adds the previously mentioned turbocharged engine, firmer suspension tuning, bigger wheels/more grippier tires (195/55R-16s All Season) and sport seats.

The top of the line John Cooper Works is a red hot performer and includes an even more powerful turbocharged engine (208 horsepower), upgraded brakes with Brembo calipers and unique exterior plus interior styling cues. Its 17-inch tires and wheels grip the pavement like there’s no tomorrow.

Worried about safety in such a small car? All 2008 Mini Coopers come standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Moreover, in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal-offset crash testing, the Cooper hatchback has been awarded the best rating of "Good." That said, and no matter what size car, defensive driving is wise.

Mini Cooper press guys say that no two Mini Coopers are exactly alike. I was more than a little skeptical of that statement. At least until I crunched the numbers. The myriad of the accessories and options allows customizing a Mini with more than ten million possible configurations. Possibilities include web spoke alloy wheels for $1250 or crown spoke alloy wheels for $750, bonnet stripes $100, heated front seats $500, Navigation system $2000, heated power folding mirrors $500. A sunroof costs $1250. There are more available body and roof colors than in a Jim Ochs painting.

Other noteworthy items include, Xenon headlights, cruise control, rear parking assist, front and/or rear fog lamps, automatic climate control, leather and/or cloth upholstery, various interior color schemes, a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a keyless ignition/entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, HD radio, satellite radio, iPod connectivity and a variety of dealer-installed features. An audiophile quality 10-speaker audio system is also available

Finally, the basic warranty term runs for four years or 50,000 miles with free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. The drivetrain warranty term runs for four years or 50,000 miles. Roadside assistance is provided for four years or 500,000 miles. Rust protection runs for an eyebrow-raising 12 years with no limit on miles.

Wheelbase 97.1”
Engine 1.6L I-4
Horsepower 172 @ 5500 rpm
Transmission 6-spd manual
Mileage 34/26 mpg
Fuel capacity 13.2 gallons
Curb Weight 2634 pounds
Base Price $18550
As tested $22,600

2009 Chevrolet Aveo5:

A Hatchback Made in Heaven

The revised for 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 hatchback went on sale last May and sales have been brisk. Aimed squarely at first car buyers, this five-passenger subcompact car should also be seriously considered by anyone who prizes exemplar fuel economy and an accommodating ride. Here’s a quick overview of the reasons why I state that claim.

Even though the made over Aveo5 is a couple of inches longer, slightly wider and taller than last year’s model, it remains a small car with a small motor. Those are positive attributes. Under the hood we find a 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoTec engine rated a modest 107 horsepower. Revised from last year, and now with variable valve timing, engine output is rated four hp more than last year. While 107 is not much hp, it’s certainly strong enough for perky acceleration. I noticed the axle ratio is a deep 3.94 to one. That means the engine revs higher at a given mph. Setting up a car that way makes an engine feel more powerful than it really is. Chevy did it with the Aveo5 to compensate for its diminutive displacement.

Then there’s the matter of mileage. Also thanks to engine modifications, fuel economy measures eight percent better than last year. Range, from a full tank of regular gas to bone dry, calculates to be more than 400 miles. You should also know the EcoTec’s electronic throttle lends precise control of engine rpm, which in turn pays big dividends in reduced tailpipe emissions as well as a more pleasurable feel for the driver. A lubricant lifespan monitor reminds when it’s time to change crankcase oil, a chore absolutely critical to insuring long engine life in a mini motor. Choose between the standard item five-speed manual transmission or the optional four-speed automatic ($925) replete with electronic-hold-control for sure-footed second-gear starts on slippery pavement.

Handling manners are adequate for a car of this class. Let’s face facts. With a fairly short wheelbase and little tires Aveo can’t pirouette like a danseur. But it’s more than adequate for hauling passengers and groceries.

One very nice surprise, despite its econo car status, the Aveo5 interior does not look cheap. In fact, the materials, fit and finish are impressive for a car this inexpensive. Aveo seats are theater-style, meaning mounted higher than normal, and provide a commanding view for driver and passengers. The driver seat is height-adjustable. The steering wheel tilts. Since Aveo5 is relatively tall, headroom is good and legroom ok. The front passenger seat fully reclines and along with the 60/40 split folding rear seat, really long items can be carried inside the car. The hatchback opens wide to a reasonably sized cargo space, made larger yet by folding down the rear seatbacks. Aveo5 is quieter this year, thanks to improved engine and cabin sound proofing.

Trim levels include the LS and the LT. Standard equipment on the base model LS includes intermittent windshield wipers, and a tire pressure monitor. Mirrors and windows are manual. Fabric is cloth. Tires are P185/60R-14 all season. The spare tire is a compact in order to keep the price lower and to free up trunk space. Cruise control is optional, if not downright necessary ($250).

Moving up a couple grand to the LT 1LT ($14,255) adds single zone air conditioning with an air filter and rear air vents; an AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback, seek-and-scan and auxiliary input jack, a premium six-speaker system plus carpeted front and rear floor mats.

The top of the line LT 2LT Aveo ($15,520) upgrades the seat fabric, mounts audio controls on the steering wheel hub, adds cruise control; power door locks, fog lamps, power windows a driver information center with outside temperature display and fuel economy/driving range function, heated outside power mirrors, remote keyless entry, power door locks and a theft-deterrent system and upgraded tires (P185/55R15 all-season) for somewhat improve handling.

Front-seat and seat mounted side impact airbags are standard items. Antilock brakes are one of the must-have options. In National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration crash tests, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo earned a five-star rating (the best possible score) for protection of front occupants in frontal impacts and four stars for occupants in side impacts. Then, in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal offset crash tests Aveo received a score of Acceptable, one spot from the top.

Finally, Aveo5’s transferable bumper to bumper warranty term runs for five -years or 100,000 miles, with corrosion projection for six years or 100,000 miles

Wheelbase 97.6 inches
Engine 1.6L I-4
Horsepower 107 @ 6400 rpm
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Fuel capacity 12.0 gallons
Curb weight 2542 pounds
Mileage 25/34 mpg
Base price $12,120
As tested $16,295

2009 BMW 1-Series Convertible

High Performance and Good Mileage

BMW’s 1-Series is available as either a coupe or a convertible. Compared to its big brother, the 3-Series, these cars are lighter in weight and eminently more affordable, yet remain potent performers.

Under the hood resides a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. In normally aspirated form it’s rated a respectable 230 horsepower while the turbocharged version is rated a whopping 300 hp. Both a six-speed automatic transmission (with shift paddles optional) and a six-speed manual transmission are offered. I drove the more powerful 135 convertible with its twin, low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooler that builds maximum torque as low as 1400 rpm. The engine’s on-demand coolant pump improves fuel economy and reduces parasitic losses. Because the smaller car weighs about 300 pounds less than the 3-Series, it’s marginally faster, shaving about a quarter of a second off the 0-to-60-mph elapsed time. It makes the speed run in just 5.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 149 mph. With a full tank of gas, range is about 390 miles. The compression ratio is a lofty 10.7 to one and the exotic engine demands premium fuel.

How’s handling? During a week’s worth of driving I noticed a nice compromise between firmness and compliance. Technophiles will rub their hands together in glee when they learn the 1-Series boasts a near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. That means the nose isn’t clumsily heavy. I also noticed handling is biased in favor of road grip as opposed to oversteer. Long story made short, long and winding country roads were a pleasure. I like the way the LED brake lights react to braking force in two stages, illuminating bright and then brighter yet announcing serious braking effort. The idea being no more complicated than keeping tailgaters off the rear bumper.

The convertible is a fabric roof, either black or taupe. While the optional Moonlight Black fabric (unique to the 1 Series) is interwoven with fine, shiny metallic fibers. The effect in sunlight is a shimmering metallic silver. Putting the top up or down is as simple as pushing a button on the dashboard. Deployment takes 22 seconds. It can be raised while driving down the road at speeds up to 25 mph, so says BMW. Frankly, I didn’t have the nerve to try it. Turbulent air noise (top down) can be silenced by means of an available wind deflector that subdues sound levels to allow pleasant conversation with your partner, or simply listening to music.

Compared to the 3-Series, the cockpit is slightly narrower, with the interior fitting tightly around four adults. Interior appointments seem virtually identical in aesthetics and quality. Back seat space is marginal. With the front seat slid back legroom seems to dissolve. Climate control benefit from a convertible mode intended for open-roof driving. Special sensors react to sunlight and exterior temperature in order to better keep the driver cool, or during an autumn leaf drive, warm. Standard upholstery is Leatherette. One must- have-item is the heat-resistant leather that on hot Indian summer days reduces seat surface temperature by 20°F cooler than regular leather.
.
What about the trunk storage? Two golf bags fit in the space even with the top down. Worthy of consideration is the optional large storage bag that protrudes into the passenger compartment. Its zippered opening allows easy access into the storage bag from within the passenger compartment.

IDrive, included with the optional navigation system, controls heating, cooling, and entertainment functions. Six programmable buttons tune the radio, dial up a destination from the nav system, or dial telephone numbers. SIRIUS satellite and HD radio are options, so too is a USB/3.5 mm iPod connection.

For safety sake the car comes equipped with multi-stage front and side air bags and seat-anchored inertial reel seat belts. More particularly, the convertible is fitted with pop-up rear roll bars.

BMW’s new vehicle limited warranty runs for four years or 50,000-miles with the anti rust-perforation warranty term good for 12-years and with unlimited-mileage coverage. BMW Roadside Assistance is free for the first four years, with no mileage limit. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and includes flat tire changes, emergency gasoline and lock-out assistance, towing, alternative transportation and certain trip-interruption benefits. Gets better. BMW’s no cost Maintenance Program covers wear and tear items like brake pads and rotors for four years or 50,000 miles and owners pay nothing for scheduled inspections, oil changes, brake pads, wiper blade inserts and other wear-and-tear items.

Wheelbase 104.7 inches
Engine 3.0 L I-6
Horsepower 300 @ 5800 rpm
Transmission 6-spd automatic
Curb weight 3494 pounds
Mileage mpg 18/28
Fuel capacity 14 gallons
Base price $33,875
Price as tested $39,875

2009 Honda Fit Sport:

Redesigned

It’s no secret Fit is Honda’s smallest car. For 2009 the carmaker has lengthened the wheelbase by two inches and the overall length by four. The now slightly longer wheelbase has improved both the ride and the handling.

Under the hood purrs a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with eight more horsepower than last year. That boost in hp pays big dividends in acceleration. Honda Fit is fast enough to make most drivers happy. More specifically, its zero to 60 mph elapsed time is about ten seconds. No big surprise, fuel economy is very good and Fit burns regular-grade gas.

A five-speed manual transmission is standard with a five-speed automatic transmission optional. During test drives I’ve noticed performance is markedly livelier with the manual transmission. Atypically the automatic gets one or two mpg better than the stick. Fit is available in two different trim levels, Base and Sport. Sport models equipped with the automatic transmission feature steering-wheel shift paddles plus a Sport mode that keeps the transmission in a lower gear for crisper throttle response.

Honda Fit Sport models also have aerodynamic body add-ons, upgraded trim and low profile 16-inch alloy wheels, where the base model features 15-inch steel wheels. For the record, last year’s tires and wheels were 14s. Sport models, with jazzed-up suspension tuning, are particularly nimble handlers. The ride is more comfortable than you‘d expect from a small car.

Compared to last year’s model Fit’s interior feels roomier than the slightly longer wheelbase would account for. I did some checking. The windshield base was moved forward by nearly five inches and the front quarter windows are three times larger than before. The visual effect is an airy feel. More good news, the reshaped front seats are noticeably more comfortable. And the steering wheel now tilts and telescopes. The gas pedal now moves fore and aft instead of up and down, a more comfortable movement.

Slide behind the wheel and one of the first things you notice is the absence of a center console, and therefore, there is no center armrest. Though Sport models have seat-mounted fold-down arm rests. Even though there’s no height adjustment for the seats, the seats are mounted high enough to provide good all around visibility. Headroom is good, but legroom seems a little tight for tall drivers. One harsh criticism, the sun visors are useless when rotated out to the sides. I noticed how the headrests are recessed into the seatbacks so how they don’t need to be removed to fold the seats down.

Honda claims Fit seats five passengers It‘s true to its word. For such a small vehicle, headroom and legroom are generous, even when the front seats scooted all the way back. The good news gets even better. The rear seat cushions tip up creating a tall, across-the-width-of-the-car cargo slot. Also, rear seatbacks make room for long items. Other amenities include 10 cup holders which double as storage bins plus several smaller cubbies, a glove box, an under-seat tray and map pockets.

Take note that the 2009 Fit incorporates Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure. Translation: a load-bearing frame structure that disperse frontal crash energy and matches the Fit bumper heights with other vehicles. Active front head restraints are also new this year. Other standard safety equipment includes dual-stage, dual threshold front air bags; torso-protecting front side air bags; head-protecting curtain side air bags; tire-pressure monitor; and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. Traction control and electronic stability control are optional.

The base model Fit comes standard with air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), auxiliary audio input jack, power windows, power mirrors and power door locks.

Spending a little more money for the Sport adds cruise control, remote keyless entry and fog lights. While Sport with the navigation package adds traction control, an antiskid system and daytime running lights. The Fit Sport audio system boasts six speakers, a five-mode equalizer and a USB Audio Interface.

New for 2009, the Fit can be equipped with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition displaying information and more than 7 million points of interest on a 6.5-inch screen . Models equipped with the navigation system also include Vehicle Stability Assist, also known as electronic stability control.

Finally, the bumper to bumper warranty term runs for three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain term runs for five years or 60,000 miles. The body panels are protected for five years with no mileage limitation.

Wheelbase 98.4”
Engine 1.5L I-4
Horsepower 117 @ 6600
Transmission 5-spd automatic
Mileage 27/33 mpg
Fuel capcity 10.6 gallons
Curb weight 2489 pounds
Base Price $14,450
As tested $16,910

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid:

A Green SUV

Large SUVs are notorious for poor mileage. But for drivers who regularly transports lots of passengers, cargo, or tow a trailer, a supersize SUV is worth its salt. With that in mind there is good news for anyone in the market for one: Namely the 2009 Tahoe Hybrid. It boasts the same muscle, cargo and passenger carrying abilities as an old school truckster. For the record, the 2009 Tahoe shares its basic design with the GMC Yukon and premium-large Cadillac Escalade, and its towing capacity is a whopping three tons.

Jointly developed with Chrysler, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, Tahoe’s two-mode hybrid system mates a GM Vortec 6.0-liter V-8 with the company's new Electrically Variable Transmission. EVT boasts two electric motors and four fixed gears. In mode one the hybrid powertrain assists low speed maneuvers while mode two does its good work on the highway. Also GM's Active Fuel Management conserves fuel by deactivating four of the eight cylinders whenever its running under light loads. The electric motors allows the gas engine to frequently operate in four-cylinder mode. The electric motors and gasoline engine synergistically produce 332 horsepower. The 300-volt Panasonic battery pack, strategically located beneath the second-row seats, powers not only the electric motors, but also the power steering and the electrically driven air conditioner compressor. Regenerative braking charges the batteries. Plug-in charging is not required.

With just a light touch on the throttle I noted the electric motors propel the Tahoe up to about 30 to 32 mph. Just like competing hybrids, the gasoline engine shuts down at stoplights and then restarts when you hit the gas. So just how good is Tahoe hybrid mileage? Try 22 mpg on the highway, or about 2 mpg better than the conventional gas-only version. City mileage really shines, as much as 33 percent better when compared to a gas-only Tahoe. Given the near parity on the highway, spending a few thousand dollars more for a hybrid probably only makes sense when most of your driving is on city streets. Even then it would take many tens of thousands of miles to pay back the investment. While fuel economy is improved for 2009, towing capacity is down with the Hybrid will be rated to trailer up to 6000 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 5700 pounds with four-wheel drive.

No big surprise, Tahoe’s additional hybrid hardware adds about 350 pounds worth of weight. To compensate, the hood, front bumper beam, rear lift gate and driveshaft are now aluminum. Installing lighter weight seats and forged aluminum wheels also shaves pounds. Another trick of the trade guarnteed to help milage, the recommended tire pressures has been bumped upwards by 2 psi to reduce rolling resistance. Then to maximize aerodynamics lower front fascia is devoid of holes that would otherwise trap air. And ground clearance too has been decreased in order to reduce the volume of turbulent air flowing under the truck. Up top, a roof-mounted spoiler smoothes airflow.

Singing the praises of cutting edge technology is one thing. But what’s it like to actually drive the Tahoe hybrid? I had one for a week. Day-to-day driving I averaged about 18 mpg. Acceleration came on plenty strong whenever I stomped down on the pedal. More particularly, starting from a dead stop performacne was a little anemic, but from midrange to Wide Open throttle came on strong. The zero to 60 mph elapsed time came in at about eight seconds. That’s pretty darn good.

As for handing manners, Tahoe as fairly agile, especially given the fact this is a large SUV. Tahoe’s inherent size and weight enhances passenger safety. Proof of that is found in government crash tests where Tahoe gets a lofty five star rating in both frontal and side impacts. Standard safety items include a driver and passenger front impact airbags, and an overhead airbag Available safety items include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Blind-spot alert is newly standard on the more upscale LTZ.

My test ride came with the power sliding sunroof option priced at $995. I know it’s called a sunroof, but I really like the glass expanse overhead on cold winter nights when you can look overhead and see the stars above.

Finally, one of the big concerns with any hybrid is the anticipated cost, many miles down the road, when it comes time to replace a battery or an electric motor. GM’s warranty allays much of that concern. Tahoe comes with an extended eight-year or 100,000 mile warranty on its hybrid components.

Wheelbase 116”
Engine 6.0L V-8
Power 332 @ 5800 rpm
Trans 2 mode hybrid
Mileage 21/22 mpg
Fuel 26 gallons
Curb weight 5900 pounds
As tested $51,485

2009 Saturn Sky Redline:

Fun and Frugal

You’ve likely seen a Saturn Sky cruising down the street or in a parking lot. It’s a petite two-seat convertible with a manual folding top. With lines and curves more a little reminiscent of the vintage Shelby Cobra it looks like it breathes fire. So does it? You betcha!

The first thing you need to know about Saturn Sky is that there are two available power plants. The base motor is rated a modest 173 horsepower. With it acceleration is not bad at all. Sky’s curb weight is minimal which means the little motor makes the car go really fast.

But I drove the significantly more powerful Sky Redline equipped with a potent 2.0 Liter In-Line four-cylinder motor rated 260 horsepower. It’s turbocharged. Premium fuel is recommended, but not required. Performance around town is very nice, but at highway speeds the turbo comes alive. Saturn Sky Redline accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds flat. Top speed is calculated to be 120 mph. that’s plenty fast. For comparison, the base motor goes from zero to 60 mph in seven seconds.

Beyond the turbo what’s really interesting about this motor is the fact that it’s Direct Injected, or where fuel is shot directly into the combustion chamber. DI technology is renowned for its more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. The net result, less fuel makes more hp, especially at typical cruising speeds. And mileage is improved. At least, so long as you drive reasonably without jamming down the throttle hard every time you take off from a stop light. Also there’s an exotic valve train that all by itself spreads plenty of horsepower up and down the rpm band. Two transmissions are offered, either a five-speed manual or an automatic. I test drove the automatic and was very happy with it.

Sky Redline’s performance-tuned suspension, is a step up from the base model. So naturally it follows handling manners are exemplary. The little car is low slung, lightweight and rides on big tires mounted on alloy rims. The track, or the distance measured between the left and right wheels is extra wide, which provides a more stable foundation. Sky’s new 18-inch alloy wheels are shod with Goodyear Eagle high-performance all-season tires that grip the road like there’s no tomorrow, summer, winter, spring and fall. All these things pay big dividends when negotiating corners and curves.

What about comfort? In spite of the sport suspension’s stiffer ride, the car remains fairly comfortable thanks to the rear suspension’s generous up and down travel that smoothes bumps. Leg room is just OK. Shoulder room is tight. I’ve done long road trips in Sky Redline and never got tired.

For safety sake Saturn offers dual-stage frontal air bags, one in the steering wheel and another strategically located in the instrument panel on the passenger side. The standard item passenger sensing system (PSS) utilizes the latest in sensing technology that turns the front passenger air bag on or off depending on the size (age) and position of the front-seat passenger. Other notable standard features include standard OnStar safety and security system; tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system; and remote keyless entry system replete with a panic alarm, and an engine immobilizer with PASSKey III theft deterrent feature.

The convertible top is lined, which insulates against wind noise and ambient temperature. So the ride is quieter. If not even more important the cabin stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. To open Sky’s canvas top reach up and unlatch the handle positioned in the middle of the windshield lip. Then get out of the car and fold the top away into the trunk. It takes longer to read about it than to actually do it. The rear window is glass and heated. Glass is more durable than plastic.

When the top is up trunk space is minimal, with barely enough room for a couple of bags of groceries. Fold the top down and into the trunk and you have even less room. No big surprise, there’s no spare tire. In case of a flat there’s a complimentary puncture repair kit and OnStar.

Standard items include cruise control, power windows, power mirrors, dual front airbags, anti lock brakes and power door locks and variable intermittent wipers.. I especially like the oversized radio knobs and rotary air conditioner knob. Redundant radio controls are placed on the steering wheel hub along with cruise controls.

A real eyebrow raiser, Sky’s basic warranty term has been expanded from three years and 36,000 miles to five years or 100,000 miles. While the body is guaranteed against rust through for six years or 100,000 miles.

Wheelbase 95.1 inches
Engine 2.0 L I-4
Horsepower 260 @ 5300
Transmission 5-spd automatic
Curb weight 2975 pounds
Mileage 19/28 mpg
Fuel capacity 13.6 gallons
Base price $27,940
Price as tested $32,250