34 ­ The Prince George Citizen ­ Thursday, January 22, 2009 in the driver's seat Horsepower takes back seat to hybrids and fuel efficiency by CLARE DEAR Canwest News Service Horsepower has taken a back seat at this year's Detroit auto show, with much of the buzz on the floor focusing on hybrids, electric vehicles and fuel efficiency. TOYOTA Toyota started the shift to low-emissions, fuel-sipping hybrid vehicles 10 years ago and, now, with numerous competitors bringing hybrid products to the marketplace, the company is taking its pace-setting technology to a new level. In fact, Toyota Canada's managing director Stephen Beatty says he's convinced the 2010 Toyota Prius, making its world debut here, will be the turning point, becoming a mainstream product that will take the place of the conventionally powered car. He says this thirdgeneration iteration is a breakthrough in features and technology. The new Prius is bigger, more powerful, produces fewer emissions and offers more technological features than its predecessor. The Hybrid Synergy Drive is more refined, with a new 1.8-litre, Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder replacing the 1.5L gas engine. It produces 98 horsepower and operates at lower rpm while maintaining highway speeds. Other upgrades, including a smaller, more efficient inverter, generator and electric motor combine to produce a net horsepower rating of 134, while fuel consumption is expected to be about 3.8 litres/100 kilometres. It will be the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in North America and will deliver the highest gas mileage of any car sold in this country. It goes on sale in late spring. Toyota's premium brand celebrated 20 years on the North American market by introducing its dedicated hybrid Lexus HS 250h sedan. This 2010 model will be offered only with a gas/electric hybrid powertrain, hence the "dedicated" label. It's the first Lexus with a four-cylinder engine under the hood -- a 2.4L Atkinson unit -- and generates 187 hp on regular-grade gasoline while delivering fuel efficiency numbers the company expects will be the best combined ratings of any luxury vehicle on the North American market. Inside, refreshen the Taurus for 2010, the bosses told them to go back and try again. They wanted a vehicle that would put Taurus back on top the family sedan segment. The result is a totally new look for Ford's flagship model that was accomplished in just 18 months using virtual modelling entirely. It's based on the Lincoln MKS platform with styling that has a muscular look with a three-bar grille and trapezoidal lower opening, while the rear end has hints of the Intive will start next year with a pure electric commercial van, followed in 2011 by a new lithium ion batterypowered small car being developed jointly with Magna International. It is expected to have a 160-km range, with sales volumes of 5,000 to 10,000 vehicles annually. In 2012, Ford plans to launch its next-generation hybrids, including plug-in versions. Availability of Ford's EcoBoost engine technology will also be expanded. This direct-injection, turbocharged system delivers V8 performance with V6 fuel efficiency and is expected to be installed in 750,000 vehicles annually by 2013. While fuel efficient products were the focus of Ford's introductions, it didn't abandon the fun side of the business, introducing the 2010 Shelby GT500, which Ford says is better in every respect from the previous generation, including more power (540 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque). It will be in showrooms in the spring. A new crossover is being added to Lincoln's lineup, the MKT (for Tour ing). It's based on the Ford Flex platform and will be built in Oakville, Ont. The MKT can carry up to seven passengers and will be powered by 3.7litre V6, as well as an available 3.5litre, 350-horsepower EcoBoost V6. The 2010 MKT goes on sale this summer. A peek into the future was provided by the Lincoln C concept, a styling exercise that packages advanced technologies and premium features in a four-door sedan based on Ford,s global small-car platform. SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY Those treacherous highways of winter by JULIE FOLK Canwest News Service You're travelling along the highway, cruising to the music blasting from your car's stereo, enjoying the drive. Then all of a sudden you pass another town and you're transported into a winter wonderland -- except it's not so wonderful. As the snow drives into your windshield and all you can see is white, what do you do? Weather is a major factor in driving Canadian highways. In Saskatchewan, government insurance statistics from 2006 indicate there were over 2,000 more collisions in December than there were in July. Inclement weather can come upon drivers quickly and can have devastating effects if you're not careful. If you know before you leave that a storm is coming or the weather isn't going to be ideal, then use common sense and don't travel. Check weather updates and the weather networks for travel conditions before you leave anywhere in winter. Even if you have to get somewhere quickly, safety is by far the most important factor to think about. If you do drive the highway in the winter, always leave yourself extra time to get from one place to another, and always let someone at your destination know when you're leaving and what your route is so they'll know to be watching for you. Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition, and as a driver, you should be alert, well-rested, and, of course, completely sober. As always, keep your seatbelt on. Sometimes you may not realize how bad the weather really is until it's too late. Shannon Ell, SGI traffic safety promotion manager, has a few suggestions what to do. "If you've started out or get halfway and realize the conditions are such that it's risky to be on the road," said Ell, "look for a safe place to stop until its safe to continue -- not necessarily a shoulder but a rest stop or a town. Sitting on the side of the road can be pretty dangerous." When conditions are such that it's hard to see through the white of the snow, it can be almost as dangerous to sit on the shoulder of the road as it is to drive, for someone coming behind may hit you if they're not able to see you. If you see a place to stop -- a side road to a farm, a truck stop, or hopefully, a town -- then stop when you can. "If semis are pulled over, it's definitely time to pull over yourself because semis go through anything," said Ell. "And if you do have to pull over on the side of the road, make sure you're over as far as possible. Certainly try to get off the roadways, which is a risk." If you do have to stop, make sure you're prepared. Winter storms can take awhile, but always stay in your vehicle -- it's the safest place. Everyone should carry a winter survival kit, which includes blankets, extra clothing, emergency food packs with high energy foods, matches and a candle to keep warm and perhaps to heat a drink. Also keep the window open just a little bit -- downside of the wind -- to make sure that the tailpipe isn't blocked and that carbon monoxide isn't getting into the vehicle. You can start the car now and then, but don't leave it running. In the winter, you should have extra clothing -- toques, mitts, and boots -- in the car, so be sure to keep your toque on to keep the heat in. Owning a four-wheel-drive or an SUV doesn't mean you are immune to winter driver conditions. Don't have a false sense of security, use common sense, and drive carefully in the winter months. The new Toyota Prius is bigger and more powerful. the car is loaded with premium features, including premium audio systems, multi-information displays and an available navigation system positioned well back atop the instrument panel for better sight lines. In terms of size, this front-wheel driver slots into the Lexus line between the IS and ES sedans -- a little longer in overall length than the IS but about the same width. The Lexus HS 250h is slated to go on sale in late ummer. FORD When designers first showed Ford management how they were going to terceptor show car. The roofline has been lower three inches. The standard powertrain will be a 3.5L Duratec V6 producing 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. It will be connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. In the near future, expect to find an EcoBoost version of the 3.5 V6 available as well. The 2010 Taurus arrives in dealerships this summer. Ford is also launching an aggressive plan to bring battery-powered and plug-in hybrids to the marketplace within the next four years. The initia- It's all in the family at Japan's Toyota The Associated Press TOKYO -- Toyota tapped Akio Toyoda, grandson of the Japanese automaker's founder, as president this week, paying homage to its roots at a time when the company faces its first operating loss in 70 years. The U.S.-educated Toyoda, 52, is the first founding family member to take the helm at Japan's No. 1 automaker in 14 years. He promised a reaffirmation of the company's core principles, such as valuing ideas from the ranks -- a management approach called "kaizen" that has made Toyota Motor Corp.'s production methods famous in industry circles around the world. "Having been born a Toyoda did not happen by choice," he told a Tokyo news conference. "But I want to do my best as Akio Toyoda for what I believe in." Analysts say Toyoda faces enormous challenges. Just hours before his appointment, Toyota announced that global sales last year fell for the first time in 10 years, dropping four per cent to 8.972 million vehicles. Highlighting the dire outlook for Toyota, which has been racing to overtake General Motors as the world's top automaker, expects to sink into its first operating loss in 70 years of 150 billion yen, or US$1.69 billion, for the fiscal year ending March 31. "I am simply determined to do my utmost in being handed this big role of steering Toyota as it faces what has been said to be its worst crisis in a century," Toyoda said. A new, younger leadership and the charisma of a Toyoda, may be exactly what the ailing automaker needs to bring its ranks together and send a strong message of change, analysts said. "Toyota is raising the flag," said Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst at Okasan Securities Co. in Tokyo. "It sends a strong message that moves toward change will be sped up. And that's an important message." The appointment does not mean however that Toyoda alone holds the reins, Iwamoto added, because the company tends to be managed by a team of leaders, which will include president Katsuaki Watanabe, who becomes vice-chairman with Toyoda's rise. 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