Snow chains are a must on some mountain roads.

One of the things we love to do as the season gets colder is to get up into the mountains and enjoy the snow. Our skiing days are behind us, but we love having a winter picnic and letting the kids go tubing and sledding.

As essential part of these day trips is making sure that our car is ready for the conditions. Here are the typical things that we run through each year as it gets colder. Even if you live in a place that doesn’t get snow, it’s good to make sure you have checked the basics.

Routine Maintenance

Unless you are diligent, it’s easy to forget to keep up with the routine maintenance for your car. Don’t wait until something bad happens and you realize it was years since you had your last tune up. I am not talking about the large milestone warranty things, but rather those mid-milestone things that are important. Like a tune up, fluid flush or oil change. As we head through the winter season this is a great first step to make sure your car is read.

Treading Lightly?

This is a great time to check the tread on your tires. How is it looking? If they still have adequate tread but are wearing unevenly, get your tires rotated. If the treads are badly worn or if you see metal meshing, replace that tire now! Serious accidents can occur from high-speed tire blowouts. Finally, make sure your tires are filled to its recommended pressure.

Be sure to check road conditions before you head out to see if you will need chains. Even if you don’t see an alert, many passes will be staffed by troopers who will check to make sure you have chains, just in case. Weather conditions can change quickly in high-elevation environments, so don’t take any chances. Your local car dealership or local auto parts store can make recommendations on the best type of chains for your car and tire type.

Check out Your Emergency Supplies

Being prepared is not just for scouts. As you pack up all the essentials for your day trip in the snow, make sure you have all the ingredients for a good emergency car kit.

A basic first aid kit should be the foundation of any emergency car kit. The kit does not need to be extensive or expensive, but at minimum, it should contain the following: gloves, tweezers, small scissors, swabs, cotton balls and antibiotic cream. It should also include gauze, medical tape, non-adhesive bandages and an elastic bandage.

In your glove box, make sure you have a flashlight with fresh batteries, pen, paper and some extra cash. Make sure you have your automobile insurance information handy, including your policy number and agent contact information.

Speaking of car insurance, you can always give your agent a call to make sure you are not missing any ways of saving money on auto-insurance. Periodic policy reviews are good practice.

In your trunk keep a set of jumper cables and some road flares or warning triangles. Also include a couple of blankets. We have one that is bright red, so that it could double as a signaling device is needed. Keeping some bottles of water and non-perishable snacks like energy bars is also a good idea. The idea is to make sure you have some basic provisions to stay comfortable and warm in case you break down and need to wait for help.

Winter Picnic Fare

Some may think it’s strange to have a winter picnic, but bundling up in a sunny spot on a winter day can make for some great memories. We like to pack thermoses of hot chocolate and warm soup, along with some hearty bread and homemade cookies. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all the fun.

Author Information

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer who likes to research online for the best deals. She is currently on the quest to find the best on-line cocoa recipes, the best online car insurance, and the best way to train a new puppy. When Melissa is not looking for the best of the internet, she loves making snowmen and snow angels with her two children.

Photo: Wikimedia

It took the Chrysler Group just 18 months to produce 1 million of its 3.6-liter V-6 engines. Known as Pentastar, this V-6 found its way under the hood of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee first and has since spread to its minivans, to its full-size sedans and is now found in 11 different models. Pentastar was developed to replace Chrysler’s other six cylinder engines, thus its widespread use.

Two Factories

The engine is produced at two factories including Trenton South in Michigan. Those workers marked the occasion with a photo session and a general announcement by Chrysler. Pentastar is also built at a plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

“The Pentastar engine is a cornerstone of Chrysler Group’s effort to reinvent its business model with world class quality products. This award-winning engine is proof that the Company is transforming its products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President, Head of Powertrain Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “To build one million of anything, and in an impressively short amount of time, is a significant achievement. But to do it with such a high degree of quality is a testament to our skilled and dedicated workforce at both Trenton South and Saltillo engine plants.”

Versatile Engine

Pentastar is versatile and can be used in front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive models. It is rated at 283 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models such as the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and as high as 305 horsepower in the Dodge Challenger. For 2012, this engine is now standard in the Jeep Wrangler where it is rated at 285 horsepower. That’s a 40 percent improvement in horsepower and a 10 percent jump in torque over the 2011 model which was powered by a 3.8-liter V-6. Gas mileage is up to from last year’s 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway to this year’s 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway. Regular grade gasoline or an ethanol blend can be used in vehicles equipped with this motor.

Ward’s Automotive magazine once again listed Pentastar as one of its “10 Best Engines” for the year. Although usually paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, select Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models will include an 8-speed automatic transmission licensed from ZF. Those cars are rated at 31 mpg, delivering best in class fuel economy among full size sedans.

Engine Replacement

Chrysler also noted that Pentastar has already replaced six of its legacy V-6 engines ranging in size from 2.7-liters up to 4.0-liters. Significantly, the new engine has allowed Chrysler’s powertrain department to reduce major engine components from 189 parts to just 32, greatly simplifying the build process, improving quality and saving the automaker money.

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC

Oil change intervals have changed over the past generation.

Conventional wisdom is sometimes anything but wise. For decades, conventional wisdom has dictated that we change the oil in our cars and trucks every 3 months or 3,000 miles. This may have seemed like some brainwashing exercise on the part of the oil industry and garages that make their living changing oil, but the fact of the matter is that at one time it was true. That’s because the oil of yesteryear was easily degraded and, if left too long in the crankcase, created an ugly sludge inside the engine. If it wasn’t removed, that sludge could actually result in engine failure. No wonder we all bought into the conventional wisdom that changing oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles was the right thing to do—because at one time, it was.

Oil Change Intervals

But not anymore. Motor oil has changed. The quality and longevity of oil has improved greatly in the last 25 years. Synthetic oils in particular have a very long service interval and don’t wear out—they can suffer from contamination, but they don’t wear out. Engines have changed too. Their operating temperatures are higher, which reduces the amount of “dirt” that accumulates in motor oil. What this means is that you can go much, much longer between oil changes than we ever thought possible in the past.

In fact, many dealers are now recommending service intervals more in the range of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. And even then it might not be necessary to change your oil, although it is important to change the oil filter periodically. It’s also important to check your oil level every few hundred miles, and be careful not to overfill if you need to add oil—that can create a whole new set of serious engine problems.

Synthetic Oil

You might also consider an add-on secondary filtration system, which can remove the small-sized “dirt” that contributes to engine wear. Some people using synthetic oil with a secondary filtration system can run their vehicles from 10,000 to 25,000 miles or more without ever changing the oil.

So, having said all that, there are some circumstances where you might need to change your oil a little more often:

• If you drive on dirt roads often
• If you live in a climate that’s extremely hot or extremely cold
• If your engine is old

Proper Disposal

And remember, if you choose to change your own oil, it’s important to take some precautions regarding the environment and motor oil. Namely, don’t let the oil run into the ground, and don’t dump oil into a water system like a storm drain. Recycle oil as much as possible—many auto parts stores will take your used oil and send it to a refinery, where it can be cleaned and used again. And here’s another plus for the environment: Reducing the maintenance interval reduces the waste stream of used oil that goes into the environment.

Conventional wisdom is all well and good, but it as time goes by, that can be a moving target. If you’re still changing your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, you could be spending time and/or money that you don’t need to spend. It may just be time to throw out this piece of conventional wisdom once and for all.

Author Information

Adam Brandon is a blogger for Leonard’s Garage, located in Austin, Texas, and specializing in auto repair and motorcycle repair.

Photo: Myke Waddy

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The modern world relies heavily on automobiles to get around and perform necessary errands, but they can pose a significant threat to the healthy and safety of you and your family. When most people think of the dangers of cars, they think only of traffic accidents. They seldom consider that the vehicle itself may be slowly poisoning them and their passengers.

Automobiles contain a shocking array of hazardous chemicals that can cause health problems ranging from simple allergies to cancer and serious birth defects.

Benzene

This solvent is heavily used for the manufacturing plastics, as well as replacing lead as a fuel additive. Because of its chemical properties, it disperses rapidly into the air where it is inhaled. Benzene is a well-known and potent carcinogen. Prolonged exposure may lead to symptoms like respiratory problems, nausea and vomiting, dizzy spells and neurological problems. Anemia is also risk because benzene decreases levels of red blood cells.

Chlorine

People are most familiar with this chemical in the form of bleach, tap water and pool additives. However, it is also used to make PVC, a form of plastic that makes up almost your car’s entire interior from the dashboard to the faux leather seats. Chlorine is known to cause heart disease, liver damage, premature birth, fertility problems, asthma and endocrine system damage. It is also easily passed from mother to baby through the placenta and milk.

Asbestos

Asbestos may be banned for use in the U.S., but many cars are made in countries that still allow it. This carcinogen finds its way into brake pads, gaskets, fiberglass linings and even automotive carpeting. Even limited exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and respiratory problems, as well as disorders of the stomach and eyes.

Lead

Everyone is aware of lead’s status as a dangerous substance, but few realize that it threatens them inside their own car. The most common source of lead in automobiles comes from the plastics where it is used as an additive to make them soft and pliable. Common problems associated with lead exposure include neurological damage, mental and behavioral problems, kidney disorders, reproductive issues and blood disorders.

Bromine

Bromine is primarily used to make flame-retardants, so it’s quite ironic that something so toxic is meant to ensure personal safety. This chemical disperses into the air over time. The process is sped up by high temperatures and sunlight, so keep all windows cracked while you’re not driving to avoid dangerous concentrations. Bromine is associated with learning disabilities, thyroid disorders, impaired fertility, poor memory and behavioral problems.

Cars are a source of numerous other potentially dangerous substances such as cobalt, mercury, nickel, copper, arsenic and chromium. Although these things are naturally occurring minerals and are needed in small amounts for good health, prolonged or chronic exposure to unnaturally high doses can cause serious health issues.

Author Information

Brian Turner has been working with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance as an environmental health and toxic substance safety advocate since June 2007. He conducts research and raises awareness of environmental health risks, including carcinogens, and offers his green building expertise. Brian’s interest in cars extends to  classic, muscle, imports and beyond.  He keeps active by  playing and watching various sports with friends.

A battery is one of the most crucial elements to a good running vehicle. Without one, well…let’s just say you wouldn’t get very far. On the same note, a bad battery is almost as bad as not having one at all. The last thing you need is being stranded somewhere with a vehicle that has no power.

Batteries are subject to wear down over time just like any other part on your vehicle. A clean one will last much longer and take you much further than a dirty, old one will. This article will teach you how to properly check your battery.

Safety First

Batteries can be dangerous. Before checking yours, be sure to take a moment and read the safety measures listed either on the vehicle, battery, or safety manual. Here are some of the major things to consider:

• Cigarettes are a big no-no: Batteries are powered by sulfuric acid which turns into hydrogen gas (which can cause it to explode). Also, make sure that none of the acid lands on your skin. If it does, wash it off immediately to avoid experiencing any long-term damage.
• Turn everything off: When you work on your battery, make sure that you turn your engine off and disconnect the battery. While this is primarily for your own safety, it also keeps the vehicle safe too (shots of unneeded voltage can reach your vehicles computer and break it).
• Remove negative cable for work under hood: If you are going to be doing any wiring underneath the hood of your vehicle, remove the negative cable from the negative terminal on your battery. This prevents any possibility of you getting shocked.
• When replacing cables, remove negative cable first: This is for the safety of your tool. If you decide to remove the positive cable first and your accidently touch something metal with your wrench, it could literally fuse to that part- almost like it was welded there.
• Tie cables back while working: Never allow anything made of metal to come into contact with the posts on the battery terminal. This can cause severe damage to the battery. There is even a possibility of destroying the computer built into your vehicle.

Checking Your Battery

Now that you understand battery safety, let’s cover the steps to actually checking it. It is actually very easy to check the integrity of your battery. Follow these five steps:

1. Clean positive and negative terminals: Powdery deposits tend to accumulate on them and affect the connection between the cables and the terminal. Remove the cables — make sure to remove the negative one first — and brush off any foreign material. Use a scrub or tooth brush for this step. You can even pour a mixture of baking soda and water on it to help remove the collection of corrosion.
2. Dry everything: Use a lint-free rag to wipe away the area you cleaned. Make sure that you don’t get any of those chemicals on your hands. If you do, then wash immediately.
3. Reconnect the terminals: Connect the positive cable first followed by the negative cable. After they are connected, use petroleum jelly or automotive grease to coat the terminals. This should help prevent those corrosive chemicals from building up.
4. Examine cables and clamps: Are they corroded? If you see what may look like extensive damage, then you should consider replacing them. If you don’t, you run the risk of your battery short-circuiting and damaging the computer inside of your vehicle. If you are ever in doubt, have a professional check your battery for you. He may also tell if your battery needs to be charged or replaced.
5. Check terminals and battery case: Most people tend to skip this step. Cracks in the battery and/or the terminals are something you should always look for. If you see even the slightest amount of damage, then replace immediately.

Checking your battery is actually quite simple as you can see. If you follow these steps then you should have no trouble doing it yourself.

Author Information

Melissa Cameron is a freelance writer providing valuable tips and advice for consumers looking for best car insurance rate quotes. Her husband refers to her as the walking infomercial because she loves surfing the Internet for new deals. She also loves learning new things and provides insight for people looking to save or manage their money. She lives with her wonderful family in Texas.

Hyundai's Sonata is one of several models chasing Camry.

The Toyota Camry was the best-selling car model again in 2011, selling about 308,000 units. That figure is 40,000 units more than its nearest competitor, the Nissan Altima. For the 14th time in 15 years, the Camry has been the No. 1 selling car in America. The one year it finished second, it was beaten out by the Honda Accord. Last year, Accord sales fell to 221,000 units as the automaker recovered from a decimating March 2011 earthquake in Japan.

The Camry is all-new for 2012 or at least it represents the next generation model. The platform is the same, but the current model gets new sheetmetal and a new interior. Its engines are the same, but its hybrid edition was upgraded. Across the line, all 2012 Toyota Camry models get best in segment fuel economy or close to it.

Stronger Competition

While Toyota played it safe by bringing forth a new Camry that looks a lot like the old Camry, its competitors have taken to shake up the midsize sedan segment. Once dominated by appliance-looking vehicles that were built well and sold for a price families could afford, today’s midsize sedans are sportier, better equipped and more fuel efficient than ever before.

Nissan has been quietly creeping up on Toyota as its Altima is now the second best selling model in the segment, selling 20,000 more models than the Ford Fusion. The Fusion, along with the Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Malibu, each are selling more than 200,000 units annually. All three automakers in addition to Volkswagen with its Passat and Kia with its Optima, are expanding production in 2012 to respond to customer demand.

Falling Sales

Camry sells fell by 6 percent in 2011, largely due to the same reason that Accord sales fell: problems with suppliers and distribution in Japan following its devasting earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Toyota is targetting 360,000 Camry sales for 2012 as production has returned to year ago levels and as the market continues to rebound. Some Camry owners went to competitors in 2011 while others have been waiting to buy as dealer supplies are replenished. Like every other automaker with a new model on hand, sales should rise accordingly.

And that is where Toyota is likely to see more challenges coming forth. Both the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima were recently redesigned. The Korean cousins are cranking up production and taking a bigger slice of the market. The Volkswagen Passat is now built in Tennessee and that factory is being maxed out to handle demand. Talk that the factory will be expanded from its current 150,000 production limit to 300,000 cars have surfaced regularly of late.

Stronger Competition

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is already out, or at least the mild-hybrid version of this car, the next generation of this five-passenger sedan. Ford introduced its all-new Fusion, a sedan that rolls out its the brand’s EVOS design language. Nissan has kept its Altima redo tightly under wraps, but we should see this new model make its debut at the New York International Auto Show in April before going on sale in late summer.

All this spells trouble for Toyota as its competitors have learned to thrive in a segment it once dominated. Not too long ago, Toyota was gearing up to produce more than 500,000 Camrys per year. Even as the economy recovers, it will find that customers are taking a look at competiting models, finding some of these to offer better styling, more standard content and even better fuel economy.

Consumers Win

Toyota’s loss will be the consumer’s gain as customers flock to competiting brands selling cars on par with if not better than the Camry. Oh, did we say that a redesigned Honda Accord will be hitting the market later this year too?

The Hyundai Elantra and the Range Rover Evoque have won the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards respectively. The Elantra beat out the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat among other finalists to win its award. The Evoque had much more limited competition in winning its award, but still finished ahead of the BMW X3 and the Honda CR-V. A jury of 50 automotive journalists picked the two winners.

“Elantra speaks to the success of our recipe of bold design and great fuel economy,” said John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer, Hyundai Motor America. “In a year with some truly breakthrough competitors, we are honored that the jury recognizes Elantra’s far-reaching impact on the industry.”

Range Rover is a subbrand of LandRover. A LandRover representative could not be reached at time of publication. Said juror Alex Taylor, of Fortune magazine, “Range Rover successfully charts a new direction for the venerable SUV trailblazer with a fresh design and advanced thinking about environmental issues.”

Coveted Award

The North American Car and Truck of the year awards are now in its 19th year and these announcements are made just before the start of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December. Only Ms. Collins knew which vehicles were selected by jurors when the announcement was made this morning.

Hyundai’s North American Car of the Year award comes three years after its Genesis sedan won the 2009 award. Its Elantra advances the same fluidic design used in its midsize sedan and what will be featured in its large Azera sedan when that new model comes out this spring. The Elantra also features class-leading fuel efficiency, carrying a 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway rating in fuel economy. The Evoque is the first LandRover product to win the North American Truck of the Year award although on two previous occasions LandRovers were finalists.

The NAIAS is holding it press days today and tomorrow before the show opens to the public this Saturday. The NAIAS is held at the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit; the show runs through January 22, 2012. Press conferences are being held all day today and include the introduction of several new products such as the 2013 Ford Fusion and the 2013 Cadillac ATS. Visit or flagship site, Auto Trends Magazine for breaking news.

Source: North American Car of the Year

Fusion sales help lift Ford in December.

The Ford brand retained its position as the top-selling automotive brand in America, easily outselling Chevrolet by more than 250,000 units last year. Ford, with several new or updated products in the mix, topped the 2 million units sold mark for the first time since 2007. Ford recorded 2,062,915 vehicles sold, up 17 percent over 2010. Ford grew at a faster pace than Chevrolet which tallied 1,775,812 sales last year.

F-Series Champion

As usual, the Ford brand was led by its F-Series pickup truck line which recorded 584,917 vehicles sold. That marks 35 consecutive years the F-Series has finished atop among trucks and 30 straight years it has outsold all other models including passenger cars. The F-Series features its standard F-150 pickup as well as heavy duty and commercial application models.

Ford saw unusual strength with its utilies, which were up 31 percent for the year. The utilities designation describes its Expedition SUV as well as crossover models including the Explorer, Edge, Flex and Escape. The compact Escape, now in its last year before the all-new 2013 model debuts this spring, recorded a record 254,293 sales followed by the Explorer at 135,704 and the Edge at 121,702. Ford utilities now nearly match sales of the F-Series truck and will likely eventually pass it in coming years.

Fusion Surges

Ford’s midsize Fusion had record sales too, finishing at 248,067 units sold. That figure is now just 60,000 behind the segment-leading Toyota Camry and just behind the Nissan Altima. The Honda Accord, one of the perennial leaders in this segment fell to 221,000 units sold as the Japanese automaker struggled with the aftermath of last year’s destructive earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. The next generation Ford Fusion will be introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week.

Other strong sellers in 2011 included the subcompact Fiesta with 68,574 units sold and the compact Focus and Econoline vans that sold 175,717 and 116,874 units, respectively. Econoline is Ford’s traditional full-size passenger and cargo vans. That vehicle will be joined by the European designed Ford Transit later this year.

Strong December

Noted Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service, “The year finished on a high note, with industry sales momentum strengthening as the year came to a close. We saw Ford sales strengthen as well, posting our best December retail sales month since 2005 and closing the year as America’s best-selling brand.” Indeed, Ford brand’s December sales were 201,737, up 16 percent over December 2010.

Source: Ford Motor Company

The U.S. auto industry continues to recover with 2011 sales approaching 12.8 million units, up from the 10.4 million sold in 2009, which was at the lowest part of the Great Recession. The forecast for 2012 is a bright one despite persistent bad news on the job front and economic problems in Europe. Credit pent-up demand with fueling at least some of the renewed interest in new cars with analysts forecasting about 14 million new cars to be sold for the year.

Sales are still off of the pace seen just five years ago when 16 million units were sold annually in most years. However, the industry has since shed much of its fat and cars that are being sold today are much better than what have eve seen.

The following are some of the hot auto trends for 2012:

Dodge Dart — Chrysler hasn’t had a compact sedan in the mix since the Dodge Neon was discontinued in 2005. Chrysler has ended production of the Dodge Caliber, a crossover-like model that was conceived when DaimlerChrysler ruled. The new Dodge Dart looks promising, offering three Fiat-derived engine choices, advanced transmissions including an 8-speed automatic and a style that could help propel this model to the top of the compact car pack.

Cadillac Revival — GM’s luxury brand has slipped of late as two of its aged models, the DTS and STS sedans, have been retired. Coming this spring will be its XTS full-size sedan, available in front- and all-wheel-drive. That model should help revive its lost large car sales. Perhaps most interesting will be the late summer arrival of the ATS sedan, a compact Cadillac like none other. This model is being aimed squarely at the BMW 3-Series, the perennial benchmark model. Both cars could very well make Cadillac a world-contending luxury marque once again.

Ford Crossovers — Make no mistake about it: Ford’s leadership in the crossover segment is evident through the variety of vehicles it has available for sale. The Explorer, Edge and Flex give buyers quite different choices, but the bottom end of the segment will soon have two new vehicles that should advance sales further. A remade Escape hits the market this spring followed by a multi-purpose C-Max, the first dedicated hybrid and plug-in hybrid models in the Ford fleet. From top to bottom Ford offers numerous people moving and high storage capacity vehicles. Its Expedition SUV and Transit Connect van also offer distinctives that appeal to buyers.

Volkswagen Advances — If 2011 didn’t put Volkswagen in position as the top global seller, we should see the German automaker leapfrog GM to win the crown this year. Sales in the U.S. are surging, with its eponymous Volkswagen brand and its luxury Audi marque leading the way. People are rediscovering Volkswagen and finding that its cars offer a better value than before with improved quality. Witness the demand for the Passat midsize sedan and continued interest in its Jetta line. Audi is a solid alternative to BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Toyota Comeback — Toyota is poised to regain some of the sales it lost in 2011 as a result of a devastating March 2011 Japanese earthquake that eviscerated its supply chain and manufacturing base. Its best-selling Camry is new for 2012 and facing stiffer than ever competition. However, its Prius line has been greatly expanded and should fuel sales, particularly from buyers looking for value-oriented transportation with exceptional fuel economy.

Mazda SkyActiv — Improved engine and transmission technology by Mazda will help this lagging Japanese brand stand out in a crowded field. Mazda SkyActiv extends to platforms that make use of lightweight and rigid materials. Combined with its advanced powertrains, SkyActiv demonstrates that exceptional fuel savings can take place without employing costly hybrid technologies.

Storm Warnings

There are some dark clouds on the horizon, however. Both Hyundai and Kia are now facing limits to U.S. production capacity which means that its growth forecasts will be lower than the pace for 2011. Until the two Korean automakers decide to expand capacity, growth will be restricted.

Honda, like Toyota, is recovering from its production losses of 2011. However, the automaker has been blind-sided by criticism of its all-new Civic and tepid reception for its CR-V crossover. The competition is building nicer looking vehicles and matching Honda in quality and reliability.

Other automakers that should continue to experience growth include Nissan, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The auto trends for all three companies has been positive and should only improve as the year marches on.

Photo: Pedja Mi

The Cadillac ATS will be making its official debut at the North American International Auto Show this January in Detroit. This compact sedan will slot below the CTS line and take on Europe’s finest small luxury cars including the Audi A4 and BMW’s 3-Series. A 3.6-liter V-6 engine will be standard, but Cadillac will also offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged four that makes 270 horsepower.

European Competitors

Cadillac says that the ATS’ high performance turbocharged inline four will produce more power for its size than engines used by Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. Direct injection will also enhance this engine which produces 260 foot-pounds of torque in a torque curve that ranges from 1,500 rpm to 5,800 rpm.

“This engine is the perfect match for the new ATS, which will be a refined performance luxury sedan,” said Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of Global Marketing. “The 2.0T has an exceptionally smooth and responsive power curve that will make the ATS nimble, quick and fun to drive.”

Engine Highlights

Highlights of the Cadillac engine include a direct-injection twin-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing; twin-scroll turbocharger with air-to-air intercooler; forged-steel crankshaft with modular balance shaft system; and a two-stage variable-displacement oil pump with jet-spray piston cooling. Friction has been reduced by 16 percent, allowing this engine to deliver power more efficiently.

“The 2.0T is one of the most advanced and efficient engines of its kind, and contributes to the ATS’s exceptional balance of performance and great fuel efficiency,” said Mike Anderson, chief engineer for the 2.0T engine.

By comparison, the ATS’ standard 3.6-liter engine produces just over 300 horsepower.  European models will also be outfitted with diesel engines, an engine option that won’t be made available for North American Cadillac fans at least for now.

Cadillac Brand

The Cadillac ATS will follow the Cadillac XTS to the market next summer, models that will fill important holes in the Cadillac line up. In recent months, Cadillac has had to rely upon just three product lines: its SRX crossover, the CTS and its Escalade SUV line for sales as it discontinued two of its larger models: the DTS and STS sedans. Sales fell in November 2011, but are still up for the year. Both new models are expected to help Cadillac gain additional traction in the highly competitive luxury car market, enabling GM’s pinnacle brand to take on BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus more effectively.

Photo: General Motors