• Five-door Fiat 500 scheduled for 2015

    December 29, 2013
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    The Fiat 500 line will soon include a five-door hatchback. Engineers are reportedly working at present on the new body style, which could see a release date of 2015 when the second-generation 500 debuts.

    Design cues remain consistent with the retro-styled 500, according to images obtained by AutoExpress. Dual-element headlights remain a key part of the identity, but are elongated to better wrap around the more rounded front end. The A-pillars also have a steeper rake than the current 500 while squared off wheel wells give the fenders and haunches a more muscular look.

    The 500 five-door is part of Fiat’s aggressive expansion plans that will see $12.4 billion invested in new product. The 500 already exists in seven forms: standard, turbo, and Abarth for the original body, plus a 500c convertible (itself with an Abarth variant), 500e electric vehicle and 500L wagon. Additionally, in 2014 Fiat plans to launch a 500x crossover, and the 7-passenger 500L Living.

    Fiat design head Lorezno Ramaciotti is quoted as saying the future of Fiat’s brand development will run on “two rails.” The 500 line will spawn emotional and more upscale models, while the Panda line, with an upcoming model to rival the Nissan Qashqai (Rogue), will serve those looking for practical cars.

    Engines will likely be shared with the rest of the Fiat 500 family, which caps out at a 1.4L four-cylinder. Size-wise, it will compete with the Ford Fiesta. The five-door will be built on the current Fiat Punto chassis and replace the 20-year veteran of Fiat’s lineup.

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  • Honda’s 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon lineup to feature Fit, Fit-based crossover

    December 29, 2013
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    Honda’s recently released Vezel crossover, the third-generation Fit, and its N-series kei cars will soon take center stage at the 2014 Tokyo Auto Salon, Japan’s equivalent of SEMA. Though the Vezel is barely a week old, having gone on sale in Japan on December 20, offering a slew of modification options upon release is a necessary part of doing business in Japan’s customization-happy climate.

    Vezel Merchants

    Mugen’s Vezel, developed by the tuning house and long-time Honda partner, will be one of two modified examples of the Fit-based crossover on display.

    Joining it on stage will be the Vezel Modulo Concept, which features a sportier aero kit and larger wheels splitting the difference between the base and Mugen versions in terms of aggressiveness. Presumably a sport suspension is part of the package but details have yet to be revealed. Modulo is the name for Honda’s in-house tuning accessory division and all parts are available at dealerships as genuine Honda accessories.

    Custom Fit

    2013 also saw the Japanese debut of the third-generation Fit, which immediately became a best seller, taking the place of the now-discontinued-in-Japan Civic. Though this latest iteration won’t show up on US shores until the Detroit Motor Show — with a summer 2014 on-sale date — the Japanese aftermarket has already taken to it like ducks to water.

    Honda will show an in-house tuned Fit Special Customize, whose appearance and details are being kept mum at the moment. Mugen, on the other hand, has already released their Mugen Fit RS, based on the RS sport trim level.

    All N the family

    Despite a heavily contested segment, Honda’s been on a roll with its N-Series kei cars. In particular, the N-One hatchback, whose styling harkens back to the 1967 Honda N360 and the sportiest of the bunch, has been well received in the home market. The N-One Module Concept will feature a new front fascia with large grille, ally wheels and a sporty two-tone paint scheme with matching mirrors and racing stripes.

    In addition, Honda will also be debuting four N-One based track cars for competition in a one-make spec racing series.

    Not to be left out, Mugen will also display a modified version of the N-Wgn with sleek body kit and four-spoke alloy wheels.

    A rugged, “trail shoe” themed N-Box + Element and a youth branded N-Wgn Macaron Color Collection round out the kei display.

    All the Rest

    Honda has had a busy year. The fifth-generation JDM Odyssey went on sale in November, so naturally there will be a Mugen version on display. Honda will also display a number of motorcycles, including four Grom bikes inspired by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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  • Subaru to reveal production-bound Levorg wagon next week

    December 29, 2013
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    Subaru has announced it will lift the veil off of the production version of the Levorg wagon on January 1st, 2014. The Levorg bowed as a close-to-production concept at last month’s Tokyo Motor Show.

    Subaru is keeping official details under wraps until next week but rumors indicate the production-bound Levorg will be nearly identical to the concept that previewed it. The Levorg will take the form of a station wagon that will stretch about 184 inches long, 70 inches wide and 58 inches tall, dimensions that will make it slightly bigger than an Impreza but several inches smaller than an Outback. Its aggressive front end will borrow design cues from the all-new 2015 WRX.

    With room for up to five passengers and their gear, Subaru’s latest wagon will be fitted with a straight-forward, function-oriented dashboard. Well-equipped models will come with a touch screen-based infotainment system.

    Subaru will put a big emphasis on safety and the Levorg will be offered with a host of high-tech features such as Lane Departure Prevention Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking Control and Lane Keeping Assist. The automaker’s highly-regarded EyeSight technology will be available on all models.

    Entry-level Levorg models will be powered by an all-new 1.6-liter flat-four engine that is both direct-injected and turbocharged, while more expensive variants will use a 2.0-liter flat-four that will churn out 295 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines are expected to transfer power to all four wheels via either a manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

    Following its debut next week, the Levorg will arrive in dealerships across Japan on May 2nd. Expect the wagon to gain a different nameplate if Subaru chooses to distribute it in the United States.

    Live images by Ben Hsu.

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  • Lancia reveals updated 2014 Delta hatchback

    December 29, 2013
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    Fiat’s ailing Lancia division has given the six-year old Delta hatchback a host of updates inside and out for the 2014 model year.

    Outside, the Delta gets a minor facelift that brings sharper headlights with LED daytime running lamps and a more aggressive bumper. Side skirts come standard on all models while the rear end features modestly redesigned tail lamps, a new bumper and two chrome-plated exhaust tips. Buyers are asked to choose between 12 body colors – including five two-tone motifs – and five alloy wheel designs ranging from 16 to 18 inches.

    The interior gains new trim on the dashboard and on the center console as well as two upholstery colors. Most trim levels come standard with Bluetooth connectivity, and the Delta can be fitted with a touch screen-based infotainment system at an extra cost.

    Mechanically, the Delta is offered with a 1.6-liter MultiJet four-cylinder engine that produces either 105 or 120 horsepower. Linked to a six-speed manual gearbox that spins the front wheels, the 120-horsepower engine sends the hatchback from zero to 62 mph in 9.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 121 mph.

    Buyers looking to trim their fuel budget can order the 120-horsepower mill ready to burn liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) straight from the factory. The LPG conversion does not have an effect on performance.

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  • First Drive: 2014 Toyota Highlander [Review]

    December 29, 2013
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    The Swiss Army Knife is known the world over for its versatility. Need a saw? It has it. Want to open a wine bottle? There’s a corkscrew for that.

    In many ways, the three-row crossover has become the Swiss Army Knife of the automotive world. Evolving from the same gene pool as the station wagon, minivan and SUV, the modern seven-seat crossover is asked to be the Jack of trades, handling everything from carpool duties to weekend camping trips.

    With those requirements well in mind, Toyota set out to make its third-generation Highlander “as dynamic as the people who drive it.” But has it worked?

    New duds

    Created around the design philosophy of “Sleek on Strong,” the 2014 Highlander arrives with more aggressive sheet metal that Toyota hopes will lure in a larger proportion of male buyers.

    Although not a radical departure from the outgoing model, the 2014 Highlander sports front end styling highlighted by a larger version of Toyota’s trapezoidal grille. Toyota has also incorporated wrap-around headlights and a sculpted hood into the design to give it a more distinctive look.

    Pronounced character lines run down the length of the Highlander, with a rising belt line and slightly sloping roof giving the 2014 version of the utility vehicle a sportier appearance. Out back, the Highlander features pronounced taillights, a subtle spoiler and a license plate cutout intended to mimic the CUV’s trapezoidal front grille.

    Highlander comes standard with 18-inch wheels, with up-level models rolling on 19-inch Chrometech rims. All Highlander wheel designs have been given a more three-dimensional look for 2014 to improve their fashion appeal.

    Overall the styling changes make the 2014 Highlander a more attractive vehicle, but the design still isn’t quite bold enough to standout in the Whole Foods parking lot.

    On the other hnad, Toyota has totally reinvented the Highlander’s interior for 2014, with nearly every square inch designed to make daily driving activities a little easier and a little more luxurious.

    The Highlander’s dashboard design is reminiscent of the latest RAV4 crossover, but it features a unique storage tray that runs the length from the center stack to the passenger’s side door. The cubby is the perfect storage solutions for random odds and ends, but the area has been optimized for electronic devices thanks to an integrated cord management system. USB and 12v outlets are located conveniently underneath to keep batteries charged up, a well thought-out feature.

    The overall dash design is quite handsome to our eyes, helped by stitching details and realistic wood accents, with infotainment and HVAC controls easy to reach and intuitively designed. Base Highlander models come equipped with Toyota’s Entune Audio system, while uplevel models add App Suite, which gives drivers on-the-go access to applications like Yelp, Pandora and Bing.

    Highlander features a thick-rimmed steering wheel with the typical assortment of vehicle control buttons. An easy-to-read, two-dial gauge cluster is joined by a 3.5 inch black-and-white display screen on LE and LE Plus models and a 4.2-inch color screen on XLE and above trim grades.

    Materials and overall fit and finish are top notch, which shouldn’t come as a surprise as Toyota is positioning the three-row crossover as a near-luxury vehicle. In fact, Toyota expects the vast majority of Highlander buyers – around 75 percent – to opt for uplevel XLE and Limited models.

    However, Toyota has not abandoned the everyday needs of family life in the pursuit of a luxurious environment. Highlander is filled with family friendly touches, such as the aforementioned dash storage system and an oversized roll-top center console that can swallow a cavernous 24.5 liters (or roughly 58 juice boxes, in case you were interested) worth of stuff.

    But our favorite family-friendly feature is easily the Highlander’s new Driver Easy Speak. Intended to help the driver focus more on the road and less on the youngins fighting in the rear seats, Driver Easy Speak uses an embedded microphone to feed whatever the driver is saying through the Highlander’s audio speakers. The system works incredibly well and can be adjusted for volume or totally shut off.

    Although mom or dad can now be clearly heard even in the third row, Toyota can’t promise that the kids will actually listen.

    Those screaming children should at least be more comfortable in the new Highlander, though, thanks to a boost in leg and hip room throughout. The front seating area of the 2014 Highlander is noticeably wider than the outgoing model, and we found the second row to be plenty spacious in either standard bench or optional captain’s chairs configurations.

    Highlander’s third row has been widened by 3.3-inches, allowing Toyota to raise its stated capacity from just two people to three. However, even with that extended bench, the third row is realistically only suitable for two full-size humans.

    Cargo room behind that third row is up 34 percent, but remains relatively small at 13.8 cubic feet. That space is at least a little easier to access thanks to a rear liftgate that includes a glass hatch on XLE and above trim levels.

    Under the skin

    Highlander can be equipped with three distinct powertrains for 2014 – a 2.7-liter four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V6 and a gas-electric hybrid.

    The 2.7, which develops 184 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, is relegated to front-wheel drive only LE models. Toyota doesn’t expect more than 3 percent of buyers to opt for the bottom grade Highlander; we wonder why they even bothered.

    The volume 270 horsepower, 248 lb-ft of torque V6 is better suited for hauling the three-row crossover around. The Highlander’s waistline can swell to a portly 4,500 lbs. when loaded with options and all-wheel drive, but the V6 never seemed sluggish around the winding mountain roads of California’s Central Coast. However, the V6 is somewhat underpowered when compared to similar vehicle from Chevrolet, Ford and Hyundai.

    Both the Highlander’s four- and six-cylinder engines come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

    The Highlander Hybrid returns for 2014 with a combined 280 horsepower from its 3.5L V6 and electric motors. Routing power through a CVT, acceleration in the Highlander Hybrid feels about on par with its V6 counterpart despite a curb weight of nearly 4,900 lbs. The Highlander Hybrid relies on Toyota’s tried-and-true nickel-metal hydride battery tech rather than more advanced lithium-ion packs.

    The hybrid, which is available only in range-topping Limited form, comes standard with all-wheel drive. However, unlike the gas-powered AWD Highlander, which uses a mechanical four-wheel drive system, the hybrid relies exclusively on an electric motor to power its rear wheels.

    Naturally the hybrid is the most efficient of the bunch, returning 27/28/28mpg city/highway/combined. The front-wheel drive V6 is rated at 19/25/21mpg city/highway/combined, with AWD dinging each figure by 1mpg. The four-cylinder Highlander is good for 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, netting a combined rating of 22 mpg.

    Driving dynamics aren’t exactly a big draw for three-row crossover segment, but we came away quite impressed with the way the Highlander handled itself on winding roads. The Highlander features a new double-wishbone rear suspension design that improves cornering while also providing a more compliant ride.

    Highlander’s steering is direct and on the verge of sporty, with the big utility vehicle exhibiting better body control than the previous generation of the crossover.

    Just in case you get a little too confident with the improved handling, the CUV comes with Toyota’ Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Smart Stop Technology and eight airbags.

    Other optional safety features include Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Radar-based Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert.

    Most Highlanders will spend their lives on paved surfaces but, for the adventurous few, Toyota has equipped the CUV with a few off-road tools. AWD gas models feature a Downhill Assist Control system that uses the vehicle’s brakes to “creep” down sloped surfaces at a controlled speed between 2 and 4mph. Interestingly, Toyota says the system works in both forward and reverse.

    Highlander also features an AWD lock mode that splits power even between the front and rear wheels at speeds up to 25 mph. Highlander’s power can be split 50/50 at speeds above 25 mph, but that distribution is left up to the computer, not the driver.

    Leftlane’s bottom line

    With a clear focus on family-friendliness and up-scale appointments, the 2014 Toyota Highlander has once again secured its position at the head of the three-row crossover class.

    Now, if only it could be ordered in Swiss Army Knife red.

    2014 Toyota Highlander base price range, $30,075 to $48,160.

    Photos by Drew Johnson.