New Car Launches, Maintenance and Reviews

Volvo launching the XC60

Volvo continues development of its XC60 crossover SUV, the next step up for owners of the C30 who want more cargo room, Auto Week reports. The XC60 is the first Volvo equipped with City Safety, a system that helps avoid low-speed crashes by monitoring traffic and applying the brakes if it senses a potential collision. U.S. sales of the XC60 begin in early 2009.

Cobalt getting facelift

Motor Trend reports that Chevrolet's Cobalt will get a moderate facelift by mid-2009 for the 2010 model year. The Cobalt also will be available with a 1.4-liter turbo engine. The turbo will be based on an existing engine used in Europe. An all-new compact Chevy will replace the current Cobalt for the 2013 model year.

Lexus gets its own Prius

This only makes sense, given that Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, the automaker that has had such phenomenal success with the hybrid Prius. Motor Trend reports that Toyota will present two dedicated hybrid models at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. One of those will be a Toyota and the other will be a Lexus. The Toyota will reportedly be the Mark III Prius. The Lexus will be a wagon-like vehicle based on the Prius platform and drivetrain. Meanwhile, as previously reported in this column, the Toyota A-Bat pickup truck hybrid is just a concept for now, but the truck is being evaluated as a potential addition to extend the architecture and powertrain plans for the next generation Prius platform.

Will GM wear a Mini?

Is it a Saab or Saturn or both? Motor Trend reports that General Motors has a concept on the drawing board that appears to be "a BMW Mini copy, a two-box, three-door hatchback design with a conventional, vertical B-pillar." GM really hasn't said anything about the concept, let alone what make or model name it would carry. But, Motor Trend always likes to speculate, guessing that there will be "a Saturn at the very least, or, more likely, a Saab, which has more room in its pricing and could sell such a car in the $25,000 range." As the magazine points out, in order for GM to make a profit with the car, "it would probably have to sell in the $20,000-plus price range."

Saturn's Vue upgraded

Consumer Reports and Motor Matters report that Saturn's Vue has been replaced with "a more competitive" 2008 model. Designed and fine-tuned by two General Motors subsidiaries, Daewoo and Opel, it now has a controlled ride, is quieter and boasts of better interior fit-and-finish than its predecessor. Vue V-6 models have good steering feel and are agile. The 3.6-liter mated to a six-speed automatic makes for a nice power train.

Maintaining your vehicle

The best way to keep your vehicle in good driving condition is to follow the manufacturer's schedule outlined in the owner's manual, says Motor Matters. Many repair shops schedule maintenance on a more frequent basis compared to the manufacturer's schedule. If that happens to you, ask the repair shop to explain the reason for itsschedule beyond the manufacturer's recommendations.

Deep discounts coming

The Detroit News reports that Detroit's automakers are set to cough up richer, more inventive deals in 2008 to woo consumers into showrooms. The automakers will work to win over car buyers with everything from traditional discounts to free entertainment systems. So, stay tuned for good deals.

Durability improves

According to research from R.L. Polk & Co., vehicles are becoming more durable. Polk's most recent vehicle population report indicated that in 2007 the median age of passenger cars in operation was 9.2 years. "We continue to see increasing vehicle durability across all vehicle types...," noted Dave Goebel, consultant for Polk's aftermarket solutions team. Goebel says the number of vehicles 11 years and older has increased.

New Traverse gets good marks

The 2009 Chevrolet Traverse delivers a robust combination of power, efficiency, ride and safety, comments Motor Matters. The 3.6L DOHC V-6 is designed to provide excellent power and efficiency that translates to usable, power-on-demand performance. The engine is backed by a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission that channels power to a responsive, four-wheel independent suspension. Traverse is rated at an estimated 286 horsepower.