TECH OVERVIEW OF THE 2013 IMPORTS

Transcription

1 TECH OVERVIEW OF THE 2013 IMPORTS BY PAUL WEISSLER The drive to extract greater fuel economy from vehicles of all shapes and sizes is in full swing. Import manufacturers have embraced (or enhanced) a range of technologies to achieve measurable improvements. Acura RDX As the Detroit Big Three makers introduce sixand eight-speed automatics, there seems to be a trend among the Ja - pan ese makers to go infinite namely, to favor the continuously variable transmission (CVT) and its infinite number of speeds. With the 2013 lineup, Nissan has them on virtually all of its cars and crossovers, including the new Altima and Sentra sedans, and even the Pathfinder utility vehicle. But the big new adoption was by Honda, for the 2013 Accord. And word is that the high-volume Toyota Corolla will join the CVT lineup with a longawaited new model next year. The 20 December 2012 Infiniti JX35 Japanese CVT pioneer, Subaru (whose Justy had a CVT in 1987), continues to use that transmission in the 4-cylinder Impreza and Legacy. It s not unanimous for the CVT at the retail level, because there s probably a customer or two who don t like the shiftless feel or the sound of a CVT. But it s definitely the most cost-effective choice for high fuel economy, perhaps 10% or more higher than even a sixspeed automatic. The Scion FR-S and its twin Subaru BRZ, a sporty rear-drive coupe, use a sixspeed planetary automatic. In fact, if it s a sporty car, it won t have a CVT, save for the Audi A4 front-drive models. Most CVTs have a steel link belt; the Audi and for 2013 the Nissan Pathfinder have a chain. But the operating principle is the same: The belt or chain fits into grooves in split pulleys, and a hydraulic pressure system pushes one set of pulley halves together (or allows them to come apart), so the belt or chain moves up or down in the pulley. This causes an opposite effect on the other pulley, so the chain or belt moves down, changing the ratio between them. There are infinitely possible ratios and the ratio spread is

2 Mazda CX-5 Hyundai Santa Fe Lexus G5 350 Scion FR-S over seven (low gear ratio divided by high gear ratio). So the transmission provides infinite possibilities, and with the right software, the computer picks ratios for performance, fuel economy or a choice of either, depending on the driv - er s foot on the accelerator. Some CVT cars (including the A4) create artificial shifts to provide the appearance (rpm change) and timing of the ratio change to simulate a shift. It seems to be winning the battle except in Europe, where the dual clutch transmission (DCT) is the choice of Volkswagen and some Audis, the Ford Fiesta and Focus, plus the very non-european Nissan Sentra Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe with the naturally aspirated 1.6 Four. The important thing to remember about a CVT is that it uses special transmission fluid. This is not one of those wink-wink and use Dexron or some other off-the-shelf transmission oil. The lubricant in a CVT must both prevent scoring of the pulleys and not allow slippage of the belt or chain under the carefully controlled pressures for required torque transfer. Nissan/Infiniti It s a big year for Nissan and Infiniti, with a new Altima that has class-leading highway fuel economy (38 mpg), a new Sentra and Pathfinder, plus a new Infiniti three-row-seating crossover called the JX35. Nissan is introducing a technically innovative tire pressure system that simplifies tire inflation. This should please technicians who have had to deal with complaints that the warning lights keep coming on after the tires have been serviced. It produces an audible tone when the tire is properly inflated no guesswork on the accuracy of your gauge. The system, appearing on the new Altima, Sentra and Pathfinder for openers, is being phased in to the entire Nissan lineup. The Altima offers mileage that matches a number of mild hybrids without even the use of direct injection on its 2.5L Four. It isn t magic, but a surpris- December

3 TECH OVERVIEW OF THE 2013 IMPORTS Continuously variable transmissions are compact, which saves weight and improves fuel economy. They require a special fluid to permit the pulley halves to maintain clamping pressures against the chain or steel belt without excessive wear. The top photo on the left shows the underhood warning label for CVT fluid used in Nissan products. The photo on the bottom shows the chain and the steel link belt used in Nissan CVTs. Belts have a long-established durability record; chains can transfer more torque. ingly lightweight package 3106 lbs., which is 84 to 92 lbs. less than its competition in the midsize class. Even the 3.5 V6, rated at 270 hp, is just 3300 lbs. The big contributor to fuel economy is the new generation CVT (40%), followed by aerodynamics and reduced mass (15% each) tires (10%), electric power steering and smart charging (5% each) and finally engine calibration (10%). Which tells you there are lots of ways aside from direct injection to get the economy numbers up, and transmissions (CVT or more gears) are major ones. Some of Altima s weight-saving is in the high-strength steel used for the body. There are also a magnesium oil pan and redesigned cylinder head with thinner walls. Two CVTs are used one with a steel-link belt with a ratio spread of 7.0 for the 2.5 Four and one with a chain with a ratio spread 6.3 for the V6, which carries more torque. These are examples in the new generation of CVTs of the simulated shifting approach, which gives the impression of being seven-speed automatics. The Altima takes a novel approach to a lane departure warning, blind spot indication and rear cross-traffic detection (such as a pedestrian), all from a single wide-angle camera that also serves as a conventional rear-view imaging device. The camera, in the license plate mounting area, reports to a computer that does all the interpretation, including the use of wide-angle rear-view to pick up lane markings to determine if the vehicle is staying in lane and issue a warning if it s not. Naturally, that one camera needs a clean lens, so there s a tap off the windshield washer that sprays onto the rear camera lens if it loses a clear view. After the spray, a mini air compressor blows on the lens to dry it off. The Pathfinder is not only all new, but it goes from a body-on-frame to a unit body/crossover style with up to three-row seating. The powertrain is a 260-hp/240- ft.-lbs. version of the 3.5 V6, and with the body switch, the vehicle sheds 500 lbs.; the front-drive now weighs 4149 lbs., while the AWD tips the scales at What s surprising is the 5000-lb. towing capacity with the CVT, but Nissan says that the ability of the transmission to be in the most appropriate gear ratio is the reason. The steering is via an electrically driven hydraulic pump. The Sentra gets a new engine 1.8 liters vs. the previous 2.0 and it s a contributor to much improved fuel economy. Like the 2.0, the 1.8 is a longstroke engine for good launch torque, although performance numbers are down slightly, from 140 hp/147 ft.-lbs. of torque in the 2.0 to 130/128 for the 1.8. A 40-mpg Sentra model is available that adds low-rolling-resistance tires, underbody covers and a rear spoiler. Although the JX35 crossover is built on the same platform as the Pathfinder, it features an automatic slowdown if it detects forward traffic, even when the cruise control is not in use. It also has an automatic vehicle stop if the driver slowly backs up to an obstacle. Toyota/Lexus/Scion Lots of new models have been introduced for 2013, but we ll focus on the most noteworthy. The Prius C is the low-priced Toyota hybrid that s built on a modified Yaris platform. It s a full-feature design with a two-motor system. It is, of course, somewhat minimalist in terms of trim quality, and with the 72- hp, 1.5L Four, performance is somewhat lower than a regular Prius or Prius V (wagon-type). However, it does get the magic 50 mpg. From a service standpoint, three items on the Prius C stand out: 22 December 2012

4 TECH OVERVIEW OF THE 2013 IMPORTS The 144-volt nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack is far less expensive than a lithium-ion (Li-ion) type. The boost converter raises peak voltage to 520 volts, somewhat less than the peak of 650 on other Prius models. If you see wiring with lavender insulation (some also with a different tracer color), it s not copper but aluminum. Toyota warns never to use a test tool lead to puncture it, and never to splice into it for a power source or a sensor signal. Like other Prius models, the C has an exhaust heat recovery system that circulates engine coolant through a heat exchanger in the exhaust pipe after the catalyst, through a loop controlled by a temperature sensor and valve. The exhaust helps hasten engine warm-up, which improves cabin heating. Engine coolant also circulates through a coolant-exhaust gas heat exchanger at the engine, to cool exhaust gas for the EGR system. It also has an electric water pump, and with electric power steering and an electric drive compressor, there s no ribbed belt. The regular Prius and other non-plug-in Toyota products (including Lexus hybrids) also have NiMH battery packs. Like Accord s version, the Prius Plug- In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) has a limited range on its Liion battery pack about 12 miles by our test. However, the lightweight Prius has a low coefficient of drag and other features that improve EV mileage, so it does reasonably well considering its battery pack is just 5.2kWh. Like Prius models other than the C, this one uses the 1.8L Four rated at 98 hp. The Avalon used to be just a stretched Camry, but for 2013 it gets a whole new, very un-toyotalike styling treatment it s drop-dead gorgeous. The car is available with the 268-hp, 3.5L V6 or the Camry 154-hp, 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid system that Camera Lens Housing The Nissan Altima s rear camera (left) is cleaned by spray from the front windshield washer, then dried by air blown through a hose from the mini air compressor (right). turns it into a 40-mpg car 40 city/39 highway/40 combined. The body was reshaped for roominess, and there s actually a bigger trunk. A three-zone Climate Control system is standard with the Limited models (V6 or hybrid). The sleek styling is not just appearance coefficient of drag is a slippery.28. As with many new cars this year, shocks have internal rebound springs that reduce body roll. But although the suspension is similar to the previous model, spring rates are higher, the sway bars are stiffer and the chassis was redesigned for major increases in torsional stiffness. So although the Avalon isn t a sports sedan, the handling is much improved. The Scion FR-S is a rear-drive sporty coupe that uses the familiar Subaru boxer Pressure Sensor Clutch Pack Motor The Magna All Wheel Drive unit, introduced two years ago on the Kia Sportage, makes its debut on the new, larger Hyundai Santa Fe. Software changes permit it to handle more torque than the Sportage unit. Photos: Paul Weissler engine layout in this case, a 2.0 chain-driven double-overhead-cam Four with direct injection, which delivers 200 hp without a turbo, at a screaming 7000 rpm. Compression ratio is 12.5:1, and only Mazda is running numbers that high with regular gas. There s a choice of six speeds, manual or automatic and a double-wishbone rear suspension to go with the MacPherson strut front. Brakes are ventilated discs front and rear. A Subaru version, the BRZ, is externally almost identical, but the twins have different interiors, come with different trim packages and so are priced differently to reflect the trims. We ve driv en them, and the handling is impressive. Lexus has freshened up its GS, ES and LS sedans. The GS is Lexus first with the giant control stack screen 12.3 in., the largest in the industry. It has an 8-in. main screen and a 4.3-in. adjacent area that s a touch-screen. The GS gets the 3.5 V6, but it s a 306-hp version with Toyota s novel dual fuel injection system (direct injection and port fuel), which has been on larger displacement engines 3.5 V6 since 2006 (IS 350) and 2007 (GS 350), the 4.6 and 5.0 V8s in the 2007 GS, LS and IS-F and the 5.0 V8 in the 2008 LS 600h (hybrid). The direct injection is always working, while the port fuel injectors provide supplementary fuel under low-load, low-speed throttle. Important to know: The port fuel systems in the 3.5 V6 in the ES and RX are not the same. And a Toyota product may have only direct injection, such as the 2.5 V6 used since its introduction on the IS 250 in The GS 350 has ventilated discs all around, with a drum-type parking brake built into the rear disc. The ES model has evolved from its origin as just a Camry with the V6 and upper-level trim. The new model has a large cabin, in- 24 December 2012

5 TECH OVERVIEW OF THE 2013 IMPORTS cluding more rear head and leg room. There are two primary models the ES 350 with the 268-hp version (port fuel system) of the 3.5 V6 and a first-ever hybrid, basically the one in the Camry, using the 2.5L Four. The LS is the most hightech of the three and uses two stereo cameras, near-infrared illuminators (infrared lighting that can see past the range of headlamps built into each headlamp assembly) and a central front radar sensor. Combined with a computer to interpret what these sensors see, it performs precollision avoidance and pedestrian detection day or night, stationary or moving. The same sensors also provide the inputs for an all-speed adaptive cruise control. The precollision system can use the ABS to stop the car; the cruise control doesn t drop out at under 25 mph like most, and can even bring the car to a stop. The LS offers optional LED headlamps plus LEDs for all the other external lights, including turn signals and fog lamps, so there are no bulbs to change. The 18- and 19-in. aluminum wheels are a novel lightweight design that uses a so-called resonator hole to transfer to hollow areas of the wheel the sound waves generated from air pressure These strangely shaped Mazda CX-5 bolt heads can be installed with ordinary wrenches. Each saves 8 grams, so each set of three saves 1 oz. on seat mountings. Little things add up. Intake Airflow Director Duct The Veloster turbo, a smaller edition of the one used on the Sonata, has a twin-scroll turbo housing integrated into the exhaust manifold and a fresh air intake (shown) with an airflow director duct. Performance is much improved. changes as a tire deforms from road impacts. The sound waves create friction in the air, and in the hollow areas are converted to heat, which dissipates, reducing tire noise. The LS has a full-size spare and it also has this special wheel. The coil springs on the non-air suspension models are nonlinear for improved body motion control over the previously used linear type. Hyundai The midsize Santa Fe crossover is a two-row-seating vehicle that early next year will spawn a three-row-seating stretchy to replace the Veracruz. The 2013 Santa Fe is being built alongside the Kia Sorento in a U.S. plant, but it s a new platform that will eventually go into the Sorento. Hyundai was able to cut 266 lbs. from the previous model, so the new Santa Fe weighs 3459 lbs., a lightweight leader now. Most of the diet was done with high-strength steel and tapering the sheet metal thicknesses to put the extra metal where the load-bearing needs to be. Other changes include: Going from a full-size spare to a compact spare. Going from two fans to one on the front-end cooling module. Putting the power door locks on a data bus, which replaces thick wiring harnesses going into each door with a wire to a lightweight module. Using a new AWD coupling, the one that has been used in the Kia Sportage for the last two years. The base engine for the Santa Fe remains the 2.4L Four, but it gets direct injection, raising horsepower from 175 to 190. The 3.5 V6, which was rated at 276 hp, is gone; in its place is a choice of Hyun - dai s 2.0 Four intercooled direct-injection turbo, rated at 264 hp, or the 3.3 V6, also direct injection and rated at 294 hp. All three run on regular gasoline. A six-speed automatic is coupled to all engines. Both the front and rear suspensions were reengineered, to reduce weight and (with larger diameter bushings) improve ride quality. The 1.6 Four in the Veloster was a source of complaints about poor performance, so for 2013, a turbo version is available. That engine is rated at 201 hp. The overall turbo system is very similar to the one in the 2.0 Sonata, including a twin-scroll turbo in a single housing that s integrated with the exhaust manifold. Mazda The CX-5 is a new crossover built on the Mazda3 platform, and it s a very successful execution. It basically replaces the CX-7, although that model will continue in production for a while. This The exhaust manifold in the CX-5, which is larger and heavier than the one on the Mazda3, improves low-end torque and helps maintain performance of the new 2.0L engine. 26 December 2012

6 The one-piece instrument panel on the new Honda Accord requires a special removal procedure, to prevent possible damage. A Level 2 charging station (240 volts) reduces the charge time on the new Honda Accord plug-in hybrid to one hour or less. new model also is much lighter than the CX-7 it replaces, the curb weight reduction ranging from 288 to 575 lbs., depending on equipment level; the big difference is in the AWD versions. To show the extent makers go to cut weight, the seat belt mounting bolts don t have a conventional hex-head, but rather a strange-looking shape. It still takes a 10mm wrench, but each bolt is 8 grams lighter, and three bolts save an ounce. There are more pronounced steps, of course, such as a complete redesign of the AWD system, which saves 86 lbs. The engine has an advanced version of the 2.0 Four Skyactiv technology introduced on the Mazda3, which we covered in last year s import report. Key technologies include direct injection with each injector pulsing twice (once on intake, once on compression), a torque converter that locks up at about 5 mph, wide-range variable intake and exhaust valve timing, including an allelectric intake cam phaser, and ultrahigh compression ratio. The compression ratio for the CX-5 version is up from 12:1 to 13:1, both figures the highest of any mass-produced car sold here. But both run on regular gas. The performance numbers are almost identical: 155 hp for both, 150 ft.- lbs. of torque for the CX-5 and 148 for the Mazda3. In addition to that higher CR, there s a special exhaust manifold on the CX-5 for performance. Although the numbers don t show it, the issue is this: The CX-5 is in a higher EPA weight class, so the EPA testing for emissions is tougher. In addition, the added tuning provides a surprisingly lively feel for a much larger vehicle, the horsepower and torque numbers notwithstanding. You have to believe that Mazda found that to be true, because it had to move the firewall in the CX-5 back to create the space for the exhaust manifold, and that meant designing a new, trimmer HVAC case to be able to maintain good front passenger room. A new Mazda6 is coming early next year, which is most of the detail we can give you now. There s a Skyactiv version of the 2.5L Four. We wouldn t be surprised if it s the engine you ll see in the U.S. model, although the 2.0L Four Skyactiv also is being offered on some non-u.s. versions. Honda/Acura Honda has a lineup of new, direct-injection 4-cylinder engines, with the 2013 Accord getting a 2.4L Four. That s the same displacement in fact, the same 87x99 bore and stroke as the previous base engine, but there s more than direct injection. These days the big changes are either structural (special ribbing, etc.), to increase strength while reducing weight, and internal, such as low-friction designs and piston coatings. A plastic cylinder head cover reduces weight. Although base horsepower is up only slightly (177 to 185), the sport version is actually down a hair from 190 to 189. But torque is really up, from 161 to 162 ft.-lbs. last year to 181 ft.-lbs. for 2013, and the change in the torque curve (along with the CVT replacing the fivespeed) produces lively acceleration. In addition to the CVT, there s a six-speed manual available with the 2.4, both on the sedan and the coupe. Like most other makers in the midsize class and below, Honda is now using MacPherson strut suspension in front. The reasons are simple: It saves a lot of weight over the double-wishbone Accord had been using, it s quieter and it saves money. Because of all the experience automakers have gained with MacStrut, the handling is pretty good. Honda is not giving up on the V6 engine for the Accord, which is being produced as both a four-door sedan and two-door coupe, as it has been for eons. The 3.5 V6, rated at 278 hp, remains in the line, and thanks to its cylinder cutout system (6 to 4 to 3), the fuel economy in highway operation is very good. Both Accord engines have ivtec, which is Honda s variable valve timing and lift system. Something to know about the 2013 model: If you ever have to remove the one-piece instrument panel, be aware that the passenger side air bag holder is held to the cross-car beam by three bolts, and to the IP via a vibration-welded plastic hinge. December

7 TECH OVERVIEW OF THE 2013 IMPORTS Early next year, an Accord plug-in hybrid will be introduced, to be followed next summer by a straight hybrid. Both of them will be very different from the Integrated Motor Assist Honda has used since introduction of the Insight in That technology, still used in the Civic hybrid (and Acura ILX), is strictly Circle #20 acceleration assist, although now with a 155-volt Li-ion battery pack and idlestop. It works pretty well, but does not permit pure electric drive, as the Toyota and Ford systems do. However, the new Accord does match that competition and may be a step ahead. The forthcoming Accord plug-in, which we ve seen and driven too briefly for detailed comment, has three drive modes, so it s different even from the Toyota and Ford systems, despite the fact it also has a two-motor CVT system within the transmission housing. This one, using a Li-ion battery pack with a 6.75kWh rating, can go 10 to 15 miles on electricity when fully charged, which takes three hours with a 120-volt outlet. That s just one hour or less with a Level volt charging station. The three driving modes are all-electric, hybrid drive and engine only. This last possibility, which can cut in at speeds of 45 mph or higher based on a computer map, engages a clutch that routes engine power directly to a mechanical gearset in the electronic CVT housing. From there the power goes to the transaxle. This is the most efficient setup at higher speeds, when the hybrid system is unable to use the electric motors efficiently. It eliminates the energy conversion losses from using the engine to produce electricity to power the traction motor (then to drive through a planetary gearset and finally to the transaxle), which is what other twomotor hybrids do. Acura Division has a pair of new models the ILX, which is based on the Honda Civic, and the latest edition of the RDX crossover. The ILX isn t just a rebadged Civic. Its base engine, a 2.0L Four rated at 150 hp, is actually a stroked version of the Civic 1.8, which produces 10 fewer horses. The ILX also has a sporty version, which uses the CR-V 2.4 Four with a six-speed manual transmission, which is not the direct-injection engine in the Accord, although eventually we expect a change. However, that 2.4 is the highest performance edition, rated at 201 hp. The hybrid is straight out of the Civic, however: same 1.5L Four and same Li-ion battery pack. It has a conventional CVT, because it s just the acceleration assist system with a single motor. At a time when other vehicles are going from V6s to 4-cylinder engines, usually with turbos, the RDX midsize crossover is making a reverse switch. It had been powered by a 2.3L turbo 4- cylinder rated at 240 hp, but now has a 28 December 2012

8 3.5 V6 rated at 273 hp. The new RDX s six-speed automatic replaces the previous five-speed. The new model also has a lighter, simpler AWD system that varies the front/rear split up to 50%, but without the sophistication of the Super Handling version, which remains on the MDX, ZDX and RL. Electric power steering and low-roll - ing-resistance tires also help a bit with fuel economy. And as a driving experience, the V6 launches much smoother and overall delivers much more pleasing performance. The 3.5 V6 in this application uses 0W-20 oil, a change from 5W-20, and a lower-tension drive belt system with a one-way clutch on the alternator to prevent slippage. A major upgrade in ride, which we noticed at lower speeds on secondary roads, is largely attributable to shocks and struts with internal rebound springs (which also reduce body roll) and a second piston-valve in the shock for lowamplitude road ripples. The rear shocks also have a rubber mount that splits the impacts so they travel along two separate paths to the body. In practical terms, this means that aftermarket shocks, unless they re of an identical design, may produce a measurably different ride feel, and a customer should understand that the ride will be different. The new Accord also is using shocks with internal rebound springs in the rear, as are some other makes of new cars we ve encountered. The Europeans BMW introduced a new 3-Series at the end of last year, basically taking the 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder from the Z4 into a high-volume model that needs more fuel economy to meet the regulations. The 2.0 goes into the 328i, although the in-line Six will continue in the 335i. There s also a new 6-Series coupe added to the line. It s a four-door model that used to be called a fastback sedan, and it has the 6-cylinder but with a twin scroll turbo, delivering 315 hp. The 4.4 V8 continues to be available, with two turbochargers in the V between the cylinder banks. Mercedes-Benz smallest cross over, the GLK, was redone. Although it continues with a 3.5 V6, that engine was extensively reengineered. Among the upgrades is horsepower, from 268 to 302. The engine features direct injection and idle-stop/restart. There are lower output versions for other models. There s also a new, smaller V8, just 4.7L vs. the previous 5.5L, also to help with fuel consumption. However, with direct injection and other upgrades, it produces more power 435 hp, compared to 388 in the previous engine. But there s no turbo or supercharger yet. This article can be found online at Circle #21 December