Autoblog

BMW's twin-turbo, 3.0-liter inline-six is turning out to be as exciting an engine as the automaker's lauded 5.0-liter V10. Though its horsepower rating is down a couple hundie compared to the V10, the experience of dropping the hammer on a perfectly balanced inline-six that's sucking in more air than a Dyson upright is awesome (or so we've heard). The engine debuted in the 3-Series Coupe, followed by an appearance in the 3-Series Sedan, and finally we've learned when it will be taking up residence in the all-wheel drive 3-Series Sedan. The vehicle, known as the 335xi, will be available in March of 2007 according to this page on BMW's Military sales website. With 300 horsepower, all-wheel drive and BMW handling, the 335xi promises to be everything to everyone.

[Source: BMW via Straightline Blog]

Ford announced today that its Fusion mid-size sedan equipped with all-wheel drive will have a base MSRP of $23,430 when it goes on sale at dealers this week. The upper level SEL model will base for $24,525. That base price comes in below its stable mate, the Mercury Milan AWD, which begins at $24,315. Ford is also touting that the Fusion AWD costs less than the Toyota Camry LE V6 ($23,960) and Honda Accord SE V6 ($23,945), essentially making the case that customers can get a Fusion with all-wheel drive for free at the same price as front-wheel driven competitors. While we won't dispute Ford on the facts, there's also the fact that the Camry's 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 horsepower and the Accord's 3.0-liter V6 produces 244 horsepower, compared with the Fusion's 3.0-liter V6 that produces only 221 horsepower. Couple the Fusion's less powerful engine with more weight and drivetrain components to turn, and we expect the Fusion AWD's performance will be near the back of the pack compared to its FWD competitors. It is still the case that this is a great price for an all-wheel drive mid-size sedan, especially after comparing the Fusion AWD's price to, say, a Subaru Legacy. While you can score a Legacy with AWD starting at $20,795 sans delivery charges, that model is powered by a significantly weaker 175-hp, 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder. If you want comparable power in the Legacy, you'll have to step up to the 2.5 GT Limited model that adds a turbo to produce 243 hp but starts at $28,295. So it seems like Ford has deftly filled a vacant niche for an inexpensive, V6-powered AWD sedan that, along with the Fusion's impecable quality to date, should translate into even more Fusion sales for the Blue Oval.

Ford's press release can be found after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Much has been made in the comments about how much (or how little) the Volvo S40 and Mazda3 have in common. We think one particular comment by an Autoblog reader named Mike sums up our feelings on this debate: “Any comparison between the two must be coming from the unfamiliar.” It’s true, these two cars share a platform and various components but the job done differentiating them is far from badge reengineering. Their relationship is less Ford Five Hundred to Mercury Montego than it is Audi A4 to Volkswagen Jetta. We’re talking more than a new grille and taillamps here.

The C1 chassis certainly cleans up well wearing Volvo’s stubby-yet-strong proportions and Scandinavian interior, but does the S40’s on-pavement prowess finally settle any qualms created by its potentially $30k-plus pricetag?

We in this country often complain that Europeans get their pick of fun-to-drive, premium compact cars while we’re force fed SUVs and full-size trucks. The Volvo S40 is a rolling rebuttal to that argument. Europeans, however, have become accustomed to paying a premium for small cars that perform, handle and feel like a luxury car. Are North Americans ready to pay for the kind of small car they desire from afar, or is the grass growing in the cracks of the other guy’s parking lot just greener?

Can a potent powerplant, all-wheel drive, Volvo’s reputation for safety and the S40’s attractive styling make a convincing case for a compact car that costs over thirty-thousand clams? Let’s crank the S40’s odd little plastic key and find out…

Suzuki is not yet ready to go quietly into the night, but rather is set to make a major comeback that will depend on the current churning of its lineup. The new Grand Vitara has already been well received and the now the XL-7, which will for the first time not look like a grander Grand Vitara, is ready to roll.

A Suzuki-built 3.6L V6 that produces 250 hp and 243 ft-lbs. of torque powers the XL-7 and can twist in front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive form. A five-speed automatic divides the proceeding power into digestible chunks while the hardware on a whole delivers fuel economy equal to or better than its predecessor that operated with one less liter of displacement.

The XL-7’s interior features GM switchgear, which is fine with us since we liked these knobs, switches and dials in the Lucerne and Tahoe we’ve tested. As its name implies the XL-7 can seat seven if two of the more diminutive among you don’t mind being with your kneecaps. Kids and pets back there only, please. Second-row legroom, however, is ample.

The exterior design of the XL-7 is interesting, particularly the headlights. The integrated turn signals that dip down make the brights look a bit like their mascara is running, but it seems to work if for no other reason that it doesn’t look like the face of every other SUV on the road. Plus, despite the extra room over a Grand Vitara, you should still be able to pick up an XL-7 for between $23K - $29K.

Go ahead and follow the jump for more live shots, official snaps and Suzuki’s announcement in its own words…

Ford Motor Co., surprised by the popularity of the AWD versions of its Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle, and the Mercury Montego, forecasts sales of such equipped vehicles from automakers to reach 500,000 a year with eighty percent to be crossover vehicles (SUV or CUV). The company has plans to jump on the opportunity.

"When Ford introduced the new AWD vehicles," says Robert Parker, car marketing manager for the Blue Oval, "demand outstripped supply during the initial launch. Customers saw that AWD really provided the best value for the dollar. Based on our experience with those cars, Ford has set about bringing the technology to a wider range of vehicles and expanding the consumers' choices."

The company will be releasing AWD versions of its Fusion/Milan/MKZ (formerly Zephyr) mid-sized sedans by 2007. Ford's foreign subsidiary Volvo offers AWD in most of its lineup while Mazda's Mazdaspeed6 comes standard in AWD. The feature will also be available on the company's upcoming lineup of CUVs.

[Source: Ford]