Off Duty, Automotive - Navy Times

Va-va-vroom!

2009 may be a full year away, but several ’09 vehicles are going to arrive at dealerships long before New Year’s Day.

Here’s a look at what’s on deck for spring, summer and fall 2008:

2009 Honda FCX Clarity

Base price: $600/month lease

Available: Summer

Honda gets the nod for being the first automaker to offer a vehicle powered by hydrogen to the general public. The FCX Clarity sedan is propelled by a 134-horsepower electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack fed juice created by a 148-pound, 100-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell stack — no gasoline (or internal combustion of any kind) is involved.

The upside? Hydrogen is harmless — at least, in terms of producing exhaust emissions that contribute to either air pollution or climate change. The FCX is a zero-emissions vehicle, just like a pure electric car — only it does not require hours-long recharge sessions. Just top off the hydrogen tank and motor on.

The FCX outperforms all current gas-electric hybrids on the economy front, too, delivering the equivalent of 68 miles per gallon with a maximum range on a full tank of about 270 miles. The FCX is also manufactured using as many “green” and organic materials as possible — including interior panels made of plant fiber.

Downsides?

Initially, the FCX will be available only in Southern California — mainly because there are only a handful of hydrogen refueling facilities open to the public, all of them in or around Los Angeles. Also, the FCX will be a lease-only deal.

2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1

Base price: $100,000

Availability estimate: October

This special-edition, limited-production Corvette may be the Everest of American high-performance. It is certainly (and by far) the most powerful, quickest and all-out fastest Corvette ever produced by General Motors, packing a 620-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 capable of pushing the car to more than 200 mph and to 60 mph (in first gear) in about 3.4 seconds.

In addition to eye-popping performance, expect wallet-draining price-gouging at dealerships. The ZR1’s six-figure MSRP likely will balloon by 50 percent to 75 percent or more, at least during the first few months the car is available.

2009 VW Microbus

Base price: $22,000

Availability estimate: Fall

A legend returns!

VW has decided the times are once again ripe for a reasonably sized, good-on-gas, family-friendly and road-trip-ready icon.

While the cosmetics and overall theme hark back to the hippie-era Microbus, one thing the modern Microbus won’t have in common with the original is a bad case of the slows.

Expect the ’09 Microbus to be at least as quick as other modern seven-passenger vans — and (it is hoped) available with a diesel engine.

A diesel Microbus would offer much better fuel economy potential than any gas-powered van on the market — and be very much in tune with the Earth Mother, eco-friendly vibe of the original Microbus.

Also look for possible retro-inspired accessories such as on-board minikitchens with sink, water and fridge.

Maybe a camper top will make a reappearance, too.

2009 Toyota Corolla

Base price: $16,000

Availability estimate: Spring

The Corolla has long been a linchpin of Toyota’s success — its low price and high value drawing new buyers into the fold; its legendary reliability and durability earning their loyalty. More than 30 million have been sold to date — more than the Ford Model T.

But the entry-level subcompact economy car segment is now white hot with competition — and to keep ahead of the pack, Toyota has upped the ante considerably for ’09.

The ’09 Corolla begins with a sleek new body that marks a fairly radical departure from the conservatively styled, obvious econo-boxes of previous years.

Other updates include a new standard engine — 1.8 liters, 126 horsepower or an optionally available 2.4-liter, 158 horsepower (borrowed from the Camry sedan). Either engine will be offered with five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. A performance-themed XRS version that adds a lowered and sport-tuned suspension, along with 18-inch rims, performance tires and a ground-effects body kit, will be available.

Unfortunately, as before, the Corolla will be pulled along by its front wheels.

That’s a shame — and a potential missed opportunity for Toyota. An AWD Corolla would be almost unique in its price/class — and would have given Subaru (the only other automaker with low-cost AWD cars) cause to sweat a little.

2009 Nissan Murano

Base price: $29,500

Availability estimate: Spring/summer

For 2009, the Murano gets updated with fresh skin, a revised interior and new features and options that would have been considered exotic back in 2003, when the original Murano appeared. These include a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive to store music, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth wireless hookup — and the latest generation of Nissan’s excellent “forward looking” navigation system. Instead of a display that looks like a conventional grid map, the Nissan system gives you a graphic overlay of the road ahead, which constantly updates as the vehicle moves. The view you get is similar to what you’d see in an airplane flying at about 1,000 feet — and gives you a realistic impression of where you are in relation to everything else around you.

Murano will continue to be powered by Nissan’s highly regarded VQ-series 3.5-liter DOHC V-6, developing 265 horsepower and working through an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. There is still a big question mark as to whether the Murano finally will be available with V-8 power like its Infiniti cousin, the FX45.

2008 Dodge Challenger

Base price: $37,300

Available: Spring

It’s technically an early ’09, but Dodge is calling this an ’08 model. Regardless, Dodge is bringing back one of the most storied nameplates of the muscle car era — faithfully reproduced in almost every detail, including massive V-8 power and the hunky good looks of a 1970 E-Body.

Like the 1970 Challenger, the ’08 model is a raucous-looking machine with wide, squat stance, muscle car strut — and the fury of a huge, snarly V-8 under its long hood. Unlike the original, however, the first batch will be offered only with an automatic transmission — an odd decision on Chrysler’s part given that being able to bang off tire-barking upshifts is a major part of the muscle car mystique.

But there’s no arguing the magnificence of the Challenger’s 425-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi V-8. Performance should be spectacular — zero to 60 in less than five seconds and at least low 13-second quarter-mile time slips. There will be faster cars, of course. But none — except, perhaps, the new Chevy Camaro — will come close to matching the Challenger when it comes to brass.

2009 BMW 335d sedan

Base price: $42,000

Availability estimate: Spring/summer

The 335d is a diesel-burning version of BMW’s popular entry-level luxury-sport sedan. Unlike previous diesel offerings from VW and Mercedes-Benz, which were not available in all 50 states because of problems meeting emissions control requirements, the 335d will be offered in every state and is fully compliant with even California’s tough smog laws.

Featuring variable twin turbos (one to enhance low-speed power, another for high-end horsepower) and common rail direct injection, the diesel 3.0-liter six-speed transmission develops massive torque — 425 pound-feet at just 1,750 RPM, or just off idle speed. That is superior to most large gas-burning V-8s — and provides the energy for sports car 0-60 runs in the 6-second range, but without the 15 mpg that would typically come with the keys to a big V-8. BMW says the diesel six should be able to deliver 33 mpg on the highway — comparable to the performance of gas-burning compact economy cars such as the Honda Civic.

2009 Dodge Ram 1500

Base price: $22,000

Availability estimate: Fall 2008/spring 2009)

Big trucks are one of the few bright spots in the Chrysler product portfolio, so a lot is riding on the updates made to the 1500 Series Ram pickup.

The truck’s distinctive “mini-Kenworth” theme will be retained, but smoothed out, with grille and headlight assemblies tightly integrated into the fenders and hood for improved aerodynamics and a more modern overall look. Locking, waterproof cubbies for tool storage and so on will be built into the bed area. And there’s a new-design coil spring rear suspension intended to improve ride quality yet still be tough enough to allow for lots of weight in the bed and near class-leading trailer/towing capability. Major work has also been done to upscale the interior.

Probably the biggest improvement, though, will be the incorporation of the latest cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel economy by as much as 10 percent or more. And upgrades to the already mighty 5.7-liter Hemi engine (including an expected displacement boost) should result in even more pulling/hauling power without any major penalty to be paid at the pump.

The midlevel 4.7-liter V-8 will also be upgraded — and is expected to deliver 30 percent more power. An updated version of the Cummins turbodiesel V-8 will also be available. The base 3.7-liter V-6, meanwhile, will be replaced by a new 4-liter V-6 developing 260 horsepower.

2009 Ford Flex

Base price: $23,500

Estimated availability: Summer 2008.

2008 is a make it or break it year for Ford — which has suffered huge losses of market share and profitability. Brand-new offerings like the ‘09 Flex are part of a frantic scramble to defibrillate the ailing automaker.

The Flex is a heavily styled, chop-roofed full-size wagon with a boxy profile and room for seven. It basically replaces the recently cancelled (and slow-selling) Freestar minivan — offering similar functionality and roominess in a much more appealing package.

Flex comes standard with the same 3.5 liter V-6 used in the current Taurus, with power expected to be in the 260-265 hp range. Standard models will be front-wheel-drive, but an all-wheel-drive system will be optional.

But the biggest draw — or so Ford hopes — will be the unique features and amenities that will be offered in the Flex, which include a refrigerator and modular seating (with second row footrests) that ought to make it one of the most desirable party wagon/road-trip/tailgating vehicles on the market. Ford’s new Sync electronics system (which integrates all in-car entertainment and communication systems with portable electronics, such as cell phones and iPods, etc.) adds to the techno-hip vibe of this not-minivan, sort-of SUV.

A huge, panorama-style fixed glass Vista Roof is another unique feature that should help the Flex stand apart — and (hopefully) draw in the 20 and 30-somethings Ford desperately needs to revive its soggy fortunes.

2009 Chevy Camaro

Base price: $22,000

Estimated availability: Spring 2009.

The Camaro sports coupe was an institution for General Motors — until the car was cancelled in 2002 after 35 years of continuous production. Sluggish sales of the not-so-well-received “fourth generation” cars that appeared in 1994 and remained mostly unchanged for years proved fatal to the once hugely popular F-car.

After a nearly seven year hiatus, Camaro returns for another try. Like the Dodge Challenger, it is a sheetmetal trip down memory lane, with a hunky exterior designed to evoke the 1969 Camaro. This theme carries through to the interior, where the gauge package is also clearly styled on the ’67-’69 design — and even the seat patterns look a lot like the old “hounds tooth” material used in the original cars.

Of course, Camaro remains a rear—wheel-drive and a huge V-8 (probably a slightly down-rated version of the Corvette’s 6.2 liter mill) will be available in the high-performance Z28. An SS (Super Sport) version may also be offered — and a convertible version is expected to follow within two years — though GM should probably have stepped it up a bit in order to get the convertible version out sooner.

GM has publicly said it hopes to sell 100,000 Camaros annually — but $4 per gallon fuel prices may throw water on that ambitious goal. Both Camaro and its fellow retro-runner the ‘08 Dodge Challenger may only have another brief moment in the sun before they’re entombed again to await better times.

———

Eric Peters is an automotive columnist who has covered the auto industry since 1992. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News, among other publications. E-mail him at epeters952@aol.com.

Discuss:

The upcoming new models and improvements