From the Passenger's Seat

Ford has just introduced a compressed natural gas conversion package for the 3.7-liter V-6 version of the 2014 F-150. The package has hardened valves, valve seats, pistons and rings for the engine. After the conversion, the truck will be able to burn gasoline, compressed natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas. It can only run on one fuel at a time.  The package itself will be about $315, but the full conversion by a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier will be anywhere from $7500 to $9500. Ford claims that customers who convert their F-150s can break even 24-36 months, thanks to the low price of natural gas; compressed natural gas only costs roughly dollar in Oklahoma and $2.11 on average in the United States.  For now, Ford is the only automaker to offer a natural gas package for its half-ton pickup truck, though other trucks can be converted to run on natural gas in the aftermarket world. Within the next year, Ford anticipates it will have 8 compressed natural gas mo...

After having seen GM offer OnStar for years and Hyundai present Blue Link, Volkswagen is jumping into the car telematics system with Car-Net.  Car-Net is free for the first 6 months of ownership, and then costs $17.99 per month. You can opt for a $199 one-year contract, a $378 two-year contract, or a $540 three-year plan to save some money on Car-Net.  Features that come with Car-Net are similar to other automakers' systems. There is Automatic Crash Notification, where the vehicle automatically calls a Car-Net representative if the airbags are deployed and/or a rollover is detected. The vehicle's location and information are sent to the Car-Net Response Center, and emergency services can then be sent to the vehicle.  Roadside Assistance has the vehicle's location and VIN number sent to Car-Net. You can accomplish this by either pressing the appropriate button or using the iPhone app (an Android app will be released soon). Additionally, Car-Net has a website that s...

BMW has at last released the full details of its new i3 electric vehicle. The i3 is part  of BMW's  new sub-brand, i,  and it ushers in a new type of BMW.  The i3 is a very different beast compared to other BMWs. Starting with the structure, it isn't conventional steel. The body of the car is divided into the Life Module and the Drive Module. The Life module is the passenger compartment, and it is formed out of lightweight carbon fiber. The Drive module houses the drivetrain of the veh icle, and it is made of aluminum. All that lightweight material allows for a relatively low curb weight of about 2700 pounds. That, combined with the 170-horsepower and 184-pounds-feet of torque electric motor, makes for an approximate 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration time of 7 seconds. Top speed is 93 miles per hour.  The electric motor is fed by a 450-pound, 22-kwH lithium-ion battery pack. Normal range in Comfort mode is 80 to 100 miles, but Eco Pro mode earns rough...

While the Sentra was just redesigned for the 2013 model year, Nissan is refining some of its mechanicals for the 2014 model year to address the Sentra's mediocre reviews.  The steering system, suspension, and CVT transmission are reportedly to be revised for 2013. Otherwise, a sliding front armrest becomes standard on the SL trim and becomes available in the SV and SR trims with the Driver Package. Front seat cushion pockets are introduced on all trims as standard equipment. Finally, the NissanConnect infotainment system has been upgraded for better voice recognition, easier destination entry for the navigation system and enhanced app integration for iPhones and Android phones. Pricing will be released closer to the 2014 Sentra's late-November launch.

Now in its third generation for the 2014 model year, Mazda's 3 compact car has been acclaimed to have an engaging driving experience seldom found in the compact car segment. After it has been redesigned, it also happens to wear some striking "Kodo" design language sheet metal. The Mazda3 will come with two engines: the SKYACTIV 2-liter, 155-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine and the SKYACTIV 2.5-liter, 184-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine. All trim levels with the 2-liter engine will have the option of choosing either a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission, but  choosing the automatic transmission will cost $1050 over choosing the manual.  The 2.5-liter engine can only be optioned on the Touring and Grand Touring trims, and it comes paired exclusively to the six-speed automatic transmission for now.

The EXP 9 F concept Bentley first showed its idea of building an SUV was displayed at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show in the form of the controversially-styled EXP 9 F concept. Now, Volkswagen chairman Martin Winterkorn and British Prime Minister David Cameron have declared that the SUV will be produced at Bentley's Crewe manufacturing plant.  They said that Bentley will invest approximately 1.2 billion dollars into the plant and the SUV's production will introduce 1000 new jobs.  Pricing for the new Bentley SUV will be appropriately steep to compete for affluent customers with the upcoming Lamborghini Urus SUV, and upper-end versions of the Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne. The platform is reported to be Volkswagen's MLB architecture, which the Bentley SUV will share with the next generations of the Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q7. Possible powertrains involve a V-8 diesel, a gasoline-electric hybrid, and a twin-turbocharged W-12 gasoline engine. The ne...

BMW's new electric hatchback will have a base price of $42275 (including a $925 destination fee) in the Unites States, and 29370 euros in Germany. Those prices do not include tax incentives or taxes.  While that makes the i3 the most expensive EV in the U.S. other than Tesla's Model S, the i3 brings to the electric table a state-of-the-art carbon fiber body on an aluminum frame. That brings the i3's weight down considerably compared to other EVs, to an alleged 2630 pounds.  Inside, BMW says the i3 will have space comparable to the 3 Series, despite being more compact on the outside. Incomparable to the 3 Series is the i3's intriguing door arrangement, which is the same as an extended-cab pickup truck. A 170-horsepower, 184-pounds-feet of torque electric motor drives the rear wheels. Feeding that motor is a 22-KWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the passenger compartment that provides 80 to 100 miles of range, and a two-cylinder gasoline generator can be o...

To celebrate the 50th Clubvan sold in the US, Mini has ceased United States sales of the Clubvan premium compact delivery van. The Clubvan is essentially a Mini Clubvan with solid rear side wind ows, a carpeted cargo area, no rear seats, and a partition between the front passenger area and the cargo area.  According to Mini, the culprit for underwhelming sales is the Chicken Tax, a 25% tax on foreign-built commercial vehicles. That tax is responsible for the Clubvans' $25985 base price (including destination), which is both over $2000 than the much-roomier Ford Transit Connect and much pricier than the more-versatile Clubman. The Clubvan has a 30.3 cubic feet cargo area and utilized Mini's base 121-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The Clubvan lives on in other markets, where it enjoys no such taxes and strong sales.