SUBARU PUTS BOXER DIESEL IN THE FORESTER

Chances are unless you've worked in secretive operations inside the Porsche R&D facility or lived in Europe and paid close attention to the curiously wonky sounds emanating from a Subaru Legacy idling in traffic, you've never heard four or six horizontally opposed cylinders suck diesel. 

I'm just sayin'. The sound is as unfamiliar to you as it is to moi.

Nevertheless, two manufacturers are addicted to this cylinder layout. The boxer engine, found in the rear end of the Porsche 911 Carrera, Boxster, and Cayman as well as the Subaru Legacy/Outback and Tribeca in six-cylinder form and in the Subaru Impreza, Legacy/Outback, and Forester in four-cylinder form, is a unique layout.

See, everybody else likes to line up their cylinders in a row or position them in a V, like Canadian geese except without taking turns at the front. True, Volkswagen Group members have been known to configure their cylinders in a W formation, most famously in the Bugatti Veyron and previous-generation Volkswagen Passat. 

The boxer nomenclature comes from obvious engines. Think of Obama and McCain or Biden and Palin who will go back and forth at each other in a few debates, over and over and over. They are diametrically opposed, basically two competitors inside a square circle ring; just without the punches. As for the Subaru and Porsche engines, the cylinders are going back and forth at each other; also without making contact in an uppercut or jabbing fashion.

Because of this strange configuration, Porsches and Subarus export a unique sound. We all know that diesels, even modern ones, still have a bit of a unique note as well. 

Subaru has joined the two. The aluminum block 2.0L boxer four is now in the Forester and makes 145 horsepower. That's 25 down on the output of the basic 2.5L gasoline-fed four-cylinder in the Forester. However, torque stands at 258 lb-ft, up 32 lb-ft on the turbocharged version of the 2.5L gas engine and 88 lb-ft more than the torque output from the naturally aspirated 2.5L. All that torque is available from a very low 1,800rpm.

With towing capacity of 4,400 pounds, Foresters with the boxer diesel can tow an extra 2,000 pounds. And as you'd expect, the Subaru Forester with the boxer diesel and new 6-speed manual transmission will return between 8-10 more miles per gallon than an equivalent gasoline-powered Forester. Subaru UK claims the Forester diesel has the lowest fuel consumption and emissions in its class.

What must it sound like? Check back soon and The Good Car Guy will post a couple YouTube clips.

VOLVO SWITCHES ITS CEO, FORD MOTOR ANNOUNCES

Fredrik Arp may not have had the name recognition held by Bob Lutz or Gianni Agnelli, but holding the position of chief executive officer at Volvo Cars, a Swedish subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, had to be a blast. His Ford bio is available here.

Arp is leaving Ford and Volvo, however. British-born Stephen Odell will take his place. Odell had been the chief operating officer of Ford of Europe since April and has been with Ford Motor since 1980. Beginning on the first day of October, the 53-year old Odell will take charge at Volvo just under Lewis Booth. Booth is an executive VP with Ford and chairman of Volvo. 

Ford Motor's Alan Mulally says that Odell "brings to Volvo a wealth of experience of strong leadership in the automotive industry." He's previously worked more specifically on other brands, including Ford, Jaguar and Mazda. Excerpts from the press release are below. If you're wondering why a release like this gains attention at GCBC, do recall that Volvo was a frequent mention in August. Employment changes like this become more relevant when the direction of a much-discussed company is at stake.

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Booth thanked Fredrik Arp for his leadership of Volvo over the past three years, a period in which Volvo reduced costs and strengthened its product lineup despite a difficult business environment and challenges presented by adverse currency exchange rates and other external factors.

"Fredrik has steered the Volvo team through some difficult times since joining the company three years ago. His wide experience in business has been a strong asset in helping to develop and implement Volvo's plan to improve its business results."

"Fredrik has decided that now is the right time to hand over to a new president and CEO, Stephen Odell, who will lead the Volvo team through the next stage of its recovery."

"Volvo is one of the great iconic automotive brands," Odell said. "The very attributes that make Volvo distinctively Swedish - its heritage of safety, environmental concern and its Scandinavian design -- appeal to customers around the globe. Our strategy is to enhance the premium nature of Volvo by further strengthening these attributes. Volvo really is the auto brand for today's customers."

"We have a restructuring plan in place that will help to deliver a more competitive business and that enables Volvo to continue to build upon its core strengths. Volvo will adopt a more stand-alone approach within Ford Motor Company, while still leveraging product development and purchasing synergies with other Ford operations."

HYUNDAI GENESIS SHOWS THE BMW 5-SERIES, BENZ E-CLASS, LEXUS GS, AND INFINITI M AS "OUT OF REACH"

Let's be clear right from the start. In America, the Hyundai Genesis has a starting price of $32,250. A V8 Genesis with no options is $37,250. 

The V6 version of the Infiniti M, the M35 starts at $43,900. For a V8-engined M45, you'll need $50,250. 

For a V6 E-Class Benz, Mercedes wants $52,775. Stepping up to the V8 E550 will require $61,275.

BMW's 5-Series starts with the 528i, a $44,600 car. Add two turbos and you're looking at $49,800. Add two cylinders and strip away the turbos, and the 550i is $58,800.

Meanwhile Lexus, a brand that was once perceived to bean upstart Asian automaker that couldn't succeed in the worldwide luxury car market and sold more for less as a result, now sells the GS350 for $44,550 and the GS460 for $53,020.

So when Hyundai asks if all the Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, and Infiniti is all that impressive if they remain "just out of reach", the Koreans have a point. Visit their websites (all hyperlinked) for an in-depth look at what's on offer from all five manufacturers and watch the Hyundai clip below to see their point of view. Beware, ads don't get much dorkier. For search results of Genesis on GoodCarBadCar.net, click here.

2009 HONDA LEGEND ISN'T VERY SPICED UP

All across the world, people wonder why Americans decide to refer to their baseball championship as the World Series? With one team in Canada and the remainder in the United States, how is it that this Series is the world's? 

You may not follow. See, Acura isn't a worldwide brand. I know, to North Americans - here I'm including Acura snobs in Canada - shock and awe follows the realization that Honda doesn't sell the RDX, MDX, TSX, TL, and RL around the world. But wait a minute, within the empire that controls Acura resides a worldwide brand. You may follow. Honda is the controlling interest, and a mighty one at that.

Enough with the dysfunctional theorizing on American arrogance. See, in North America, Acura positions the RL strangely. It's a large sedan; but not too large. It's an expensive car; but not really that costly. It's a powerful car with high-tech all-wheel drive; but competitors offer torquier engines that send power to the traditionally driven wheels at the rear. 

Stuck between opposing forces like its brother, the Acura TL, and the impressive Germans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi (5-Series, E-Class, A6) in addition to other made-for-America brands that sell midsize luxury - the Lexus GS and Infiniti M to name a couple - the Acura RL disappears. Poof, I never knew you.

And while you're hoping beyond hope that Honda, a company that's rejuvenated itself in Europe with sporting hatchbacks and amazing diesel engines, would do something different with the RL when an H badge is on the grille instead of the A badge, you already know you're wrong. In the UK press, the Honda Legend is widely panned for being dull. We know the Brits, they would accept character and panache before performance and durability. In effect, with their buying power, that's exactly what they do. 

Oh, luxury car buyers always seek out a little extra performance and don't want a car that falls to pieces. But no car stands a chance in the first place if it is forgettable. The Honda Legend is just that: forgettable. Ignoring it requires no effort. If the large Honda ever gains a certains status, it won't be for legendary qualities. Memorable only because it is forgettable, the 2009 Honda Legend gallery is viewable below.

2009 PROTON ECOLOGIC DUAL-FUEL RANGE GEN-2

There may be some of you - yes, I do believe it's possible - who aren't aware of Malaysian automaker Proton. There are two reasons you ought to be - one for always; another for today. Remember this, Proton is the bankroller behind Lotus. Lotus builds the amazing Elise. 

Secondly, Proton has introduced the GEN-2 in ecoLogic Dual-Fuel Range trim. Ah, it ain't just a trim package. The dual-fuel range GEN-2 runs on liquefied natural gas. LPG is gaining traction in the UK as a genuine option in this fuel-saving, credit-crunching, eco-worrying era. Indeed, British customers will use more LPG than gasoline, if their car is converted, but that LPG is just so stinkin' cheap. Proton figures the GEN-2 buyer who chooses the ecoLogic version will save 40% on fuel. The car costs exactly the same amount of £ as the petrol derivative. Studies have shown that LPG vehicles in the UK are worth 7.4% more than the equivalent gasoline-engined car on the second-hand market. 

Proton doesn't go far here on GoodCarBadCar.net. The label reveals one other post on the Satria Neo; worth checking out. Here's some of the Proton release:

"It’s becoming increasingly easier to fill up on LPG, with over 1,400 refuelling sites around the UK, including motorway service stations and at major supermarkets.

Not only is the Proton ecoLogic GEN-2 more economical to run, but it has been proved to be more eco-friendly than petrol and diesel. Typically, LPG produces less carbon monoxide, particulates and nitrous oxides than other fuel sources, plus a 15-20% reduction in carbon dioxide compared to petrol. Even the production of LPG is environmentally friendly; it’s a by-product of the extraction and refining of crude oil, which also means there’s a plentiful supply in the UK. There’s nothing complicated about dual fuel operation, the GEN-2 ecoLogic starts on petrol and then switches to LPG when it’s most efficient to do so, usually after about 20 seconds. Any very slight differences in performance will go unnoticed and the only visible addition to the interior is a switch on the centre console that shows the fuel level. There is a second filler cap next to the petrol cap, which is matched to the exact colour of the car. The LPG tank is situated in the spare wheel well, so owners lose only the smallest amount of boot space.

The Proton ecoLogic GEN-2 has a 1.6 litre engine and is available in a sporty hatchback or saloon version, priced at £10,995 and £10,795 respectively. Customers will be impressed with the high specification that comes as standard, such as reverse distance sensors, air conditioning with pollen filter, electric front and rear windows, automatic central locking and alloy wheels. Both models are available with a leather interior, an option at £1,000, but for a limited time customers can benefit from a stylish black leather interior on the GEN-2 ecoLogic hatchback absolutely free.

Cheaper fuel, reliable motoring, eco-friendly and at no additional cost. Available at Proton dealerships from September 2008, the Proton GEN-2 ecoLogic is a practical solution for the UK motorist feeling the pinch. No catch."

THE KIA SOUL PICTURE GALLERY HAS GROWN

The Kia Soul looks like a wonderfully inexpensive competitor for the Honda Element, but you can bet your bottom dollar that any small car buyer (Civic, Matrix, Scion xB) will gravitate to a vehicle that looks good with a good-looking price tag. Kia is talking about the Soul fitting somewhere between or alongside the Rio and Spectra. Fortunately, this oh-so-practical and utilitarian vehicle has more viewpoints now. The gallery is below. Take special note of the side-on shots of the interior. It's nothing spectacular but it is new and a little splashier than what we've come to expect from Kia. By the way, Kia has revealed that the Soul will be powered by a 2.0L engine with 140 horsepower for those of us in North America.

E.COLI BECOMING DIESEL FUEL

In case you missed this - which is exactly what happened to me - it's become known that E.coli is being mutated. I think that might be the wrong word. Scientists at LS9 Inc., a company name that's sure to get the blood of Corvette enthusiasts flowing, are genetically engineering bacteria to turn it into fuel. I can't explain more, so watch CNN's Miles O'Brien take you through it.