Here's a simple yes/no query for Ask.cars.com: Does the new Honda Accord have an iPod dock? Also, PickupTrucks.com reports on Indian automaker Mahindra’s delay in delivering its promised pickup to American shores. Finally, MotherProof.com has a full slate today, including a review of the Toyota Yaris, a look at the desperate shortage of limousines in Denver, and a poem — yes, a poem — about how racecar driver Ashley Force preps for a race.
Wounded veterans of the Iraq war face serious emotional and physical challenges upon returning home. The New York Times recently highlighted the efforts of BMW to make this transition just a little bit easier. The automaker donated instructors, the use of test cars, and time on its Performance Center track to the Injured Marine Semper Fi fund.
On the track in South Carolina, Marines who have lost limbs can learn how to drive using alternate controls in specially outfitted BMW vehicles, like the 2008 650i coupe, for example.
Drivers who have lost both legs can have their vehicles outfitted with a hand control that uses a push-pull system to accelerate and brake: Pull back and the car accelerates forward, push and the car brakes. The handle can be outfitted on either side of the steering wheel and typically costs no more than $1,000, which is less than some of the luxury automaker's high-end features.
Not only do the BMW lessons serve a practical purpose — training wounded veterans in driving skills — but the Marines at the BMW Performance Center reported that it served an important psychological role as well. As Cpl. Jordan Muck, 24, told the Times, “Getting to go on trips like this helped me cope with anxiety and just talk to people. Something just clicked.”
Chrysler’s recent struggles are no secret. The company is looking for ways to stop the bleeding and start moving upward during a particularly difficult time for carmakers. Hence, the automaker’s latest move: an attempt to sell its iconic Dodge Viper brand, according to the Detroit News.
The Viper has always been an exotic luxury sports car, but it’s never done big business for Chrysler. According to the Detroit News, the company is looking to “refocus” on its “core business.”
The story speculates that the Viper could fetch up to $50 million as a hobby brand for a foreign automaker. That might not affect the larger car-buying population, but for dedicated Viper enthusiasts, it’s a grim portrait of the future.
We’ve had nothing but praise for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis since we test-drove it; it’s a car that easily keeps up with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, but at a discount price. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also given it a seal of approval, awarding this stately beast five-star crash-test ratings all around.
The Genesis received five stars in both frontal and side-impact crash tests — something the BMW and Mercedes could not achieve.
“These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety,” said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development at Hyundai Motor America.
Krafcik is referring to the Genesis’ standard rigid body structure, eight airbags and active head restraints. Included in the eight-airbag count are rear side-impact airbags, which are rare for a mid-$30K vehicle.
While our preferred testing agency is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, NHTSA’s five-star ratings are another helpful selling point to a car that’s already got a lot going for it.
Now this is what a $60,000-plus SUV should be like. I drove the Toyota Land Cruiser and was distinctly underwhelmed and put off by its price and impracticality. Now, I grant you, this Land Rover is not a true Weekend Athlete car (waaaaay too dressy) but it does show that a fancy car can still be capable in this test.
For starters, unlike some other Land Rover products and the aforementioned Toyota, there isn't a clamshell hatch. That is awesome, because clamshell openings generally stink. When open, they force you to lean and reach over the bottom half of the clamshell to get your toys, and that can be tough, whether you're tall or short.
In a throwback to SUVs of old, the Range Rover Sport does allow you to open the rear glass independent of the full hatch. This is still the best way to handle a hatch, I think.
It carries gear well, but it should, seeing as it's just larger than a battleship and slightly smaller than an aircraft carrier. I've never understood why my English friends give Americans a hard time for owning SUVs when their beloved Land Rovers are such arks.
Where was I? Oh, yes, take yourself and three people camping in this and you'll be fine. Also, if you're a bike racer, the bike slides right in — no need to remove a wheel.
However, it's not all strawberries and cream with the Range Rover Sport. That rear hatch that's so nicely designed? It's fine for me, but I really think it opens high enough to be uncomfortable for shorter folks. Ditto for just opening the glass section — it leaves you with a high liftover to put stuff in. There's no power open/shut feature offered, even as an option, and it's heavy to lift — or at least heavier to lift than you'd expect in a luxury SUV.
Finally, if you read this column regularly you already knew this was coming: The interior is a living room. It's just not a place you should wear your muddy shoes or even sit in if you've had a hard day in the bike saddle.
Weekend Athlete Scores (out of 10)
Ease of loading gear — 7: The split hatch is nice, but if you're short I think you'll find closing that hatch uncomfortable.
Ease of seat operation — 6: You have to flop the seat bottom up, then fold the seats over. It works OK, but it could be better at this price. Still, it's nice to see it's all handled with simple pull tabs and buttons.
Bike hauling — 9: Not having to take a wheel off is such a little thing, but such a nice little thing.
Locker room cred — 1: Yeah, I was a bit embarrassed pulling up to the campground in this big, beautiful, expensive bit of automotive wonder.
All-around — 6: I just can't say this is a car I'd take to the races or camping – even though I did.
Now this is what a $60,000-plus SUV should be like. I drove the Toyota Land Cruiser and was distinctly underwhelmed and put off by its price and impracticality. Now, I grant you, this Land Rover is not a true Weekend Athlete car (waaaaay too dressy) but it does show that a fancy car can still be capable in this test.
