On today’s show…why FCA’s Sergio Marchionne is going public with his desire to merge, the world’s first electric ferry makes its maiden voyage and Toyota reveals the new version of its global compact pick-up. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for May 22nd, 2015.
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID
Yesterday we looked at the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in, but now lets take a look at its little battery brother, the 2016 Hybrid. It gets the same interior and exterior treatments as the Plug-in, but has a few more color options for both. The same 2.0L direct-injected 4-cylinder engine lies under the hood, which is a change over from the 2.4L multi-port injected unit from the previous model. It’s also mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 38-kW electric motor, which is slightly larger than the 2015’s. Battery capacity was increased slightly as well to 1.62-kWh. As with the Plug-in, this setup is pretty different from its main competitors. Also different is battery location. Hyundai moved its pack to the spare tire well, giving it 10% more cargo volume and allowing it to add 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The 2016 Sonata Hybrid goes on sale this summer in all 50 states and again pricing will be announced closer to that time.
TOYOTA INTRODUCES NEW HILUX PICK-UP
Toyota just introduced the new version of its small pick-up truck. Not the Tacoma it sells here in North America but its other small pick-up that it sells globally, the Hilux. Its styling has been updated to give it a more aggressive look and its interior has been upgraded as well. It’s powered by a range of improved diesel and gasoline engines and it’s offered with a new six-speed automatic. The chassis and suspension have also been upgraded. The new Hilux goes on sale later this year.
And we’ll be back with more right after this.
1ST ELECTRIC FERRY MAKES MAIDEN VOYAGE
The world’s first electric car and passenger ferry just began operating in Norway. It was created by shipbuilder Fjellstrand and the electric system was installed by Siemens. It’s powered by two 450 kilowatt electric motors and is expected to use about 2 million kWh per year. A normal diesel powered ferry consumes about one million liters of fuel a year or about 264,000 gallons. And they didn’t just slap the electric system into an existing ferry, this is all-new from the ground up. The all-aluminum ship is about half the weight of a conventional ferry.
CAN YOU NAME THIS CAR?
Well it’s time to put on your “Thinking Caps” again because we have another Barn Find for you. A viewer spotted this bright-colored car while searching the web and wondered if we could help identify it. Looks to me like the perfect little beach cruiser and a little bit like the VW Thing. But if you think you know what it is, just head on down to the comments section or send an email to viewermail@autoline.tv. And we’ll see if we can’t get this thing figured out.
And just a reminder that you can still vote in our interior material name poll. We’ll let the voting run through the weekend to see if we end up with a clear winner. And right now Eco-Weave is running away with it, so if you don’t like that name make sure you get in there and make your voice heard. Just click the link in today’s transcript to vote.
Coming up next, a look at why Sergio Marchionne is making so much noise about mergers to the public.
WHY MERGER TALK WENT PUBLIC
We’ve talked about FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne and his desire to spur mergers in the auto industry. But why is he going public with his wish instead of negotiating behind closed doors? That’s one of the topics on Autoline This Week and this is what John and his panel had to say.
(The ATW preview can only be viewed in the video version of today’s show.)
You can watch that entire episode right now on Autoline.tv.
A quick programming note before we sign off. There won’t be an Autoline Daily on Monday because we’ll be observing the Memorial Day holiday. But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching and have a great weekend.
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Comments (60)
May 22nd, 2015 at 11:48 am
After ISIS buys all the available Hi-Lux trucks, will there be any left over for the general public to purchase?
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Barn Find: Citroen Mehari
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:01 pm
The barn find is a Citroen. Note the three lug wheels on it.
So what is the battery storage system on that Ferry? Maybe I can put it in a Volt and get some real range out of that car.
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:02 pm
‘Nuther question for you. Is the new Hi Lux North American Capable? Could it possibly come here as an update for the Tacoma? Better yet with the Diesel Engine?
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Using the media as a tool? You’re aloud to do that? Sergio too?
(…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………)
I just deleted a whole paragraph on this topic. Please don’t ask me. All I’ll say is, remember to lean forward in the chair and make an ‘active listening’ face.
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Barn Finds Friday May 22nd……Mini Moke?
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Just want to welcome Kit back to Kokomo.
The barn find is a Citroen
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Don’t understand why we need a Tacoma here and not a Hi-lux like the rest of the world. Toyota does make some bone head decisions sometimes!
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:30 pm
Hard to believe that in selecting a styling theme for the Hilux, the Toyota executives picked that one. That is one butt ugly little truck! Looks like the Jolly Green Giant stepped on the hood. Gave it kind of a “duck bill” effect. I hope Toyota does bring it to the US as the next Tacoma. GM will instantly pick up more market share for the Colorado/Canyon twins.
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:31 pm
5 Thanks, Dan.
The new Sonata hybrid has one big advantage over the hybrid versions of generic sedans from other manufacturers, in that it doesn’t lose the fold down back seat, and probably doesn’t lose much, or any trunk space. It, presumably, won’t have a spare tire, which makes it like a BMW. That might be a selling point.
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:33 pm
#2
I was thinking myself that it looked like Citroen’s answer to the Austin Mini-Moke.
Citroën Méhari 4×4
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:38 pm
The Barn Find is a Citroen 8.
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:46 pm
9 It’s got to be the Mehari, since no one in China is crazy enough to copy it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=citroen+mehari+4×4&rlz=1CAZZAC_enUS636US636&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=41xfVdvoMY6UyATq_4CoBw&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=633#imgrc=UkPkNptK3q7ykM%253A%3B99Rlsa0weEJGFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.citrobe.org%252Fimages%252F78mehbl1.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.citrobe.org%252Fmehfolders.htm%3B593%3B844
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Thinking it is a electric cable ferry like the one going to Denman Island BC
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:53 pm
I’m going to go with the Citroen Mehari (Brett #9).
And a question for Sean: your Dad said during the AAH show that you got to drive the new Camaro, 6th gen); are you ‘embargoed’ or can you ‘spill the beans’?
May 22nd, 2015 at 12:54 pm
3 They sell the Hilux in EU countries, so it wouldn’t take much to make it sellable in the U.S.
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:00 pm
While not to make light of the ISIS situation, Toyota’s press release for their new Hilux (link above in the show notes) does use some interesting marketing verbiage…. “battling your way”, “coming up against harsher conditions than expected”, and “diehard fanbase”.
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:16 pm
#15 – No embargo. What you wanna know?
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:18 pm
#10 – You’re right. No spare tire. Just one of those inflator kits.
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:19 pm
18 Hey Sean! How about rear visibility? How does Camaro compare to ATS in balance and mass?
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:23 pm
#13 – Mehari? That’s a sucky name. I think they should call it the CorruGator!
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Thats a citroen hebdo limited edition.
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:32 pm
@ #5 HtG that was funny. I understood the reference to the Big Obuma network MSNBS. Haha
May 22nd, 2015 at 1:54 pm
#20 – I did not get much of a sense for rear visibility. I had my head plastered forward while zipping around the Belle Isle race track. Especially because I didn’t have to worry about someone trying to pass me. I will say that visibility out the front looked more wide open compared to the previous model. The hood height seemed much lower.
The 2016 Camaro we drove had the new 3.6L V6, while both the ATS sedan and ATS coupe I’ve driven had the 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder, AWD, MagnaRide and were driven on public roads. So, you may have to take this comparison with a grain of salt. But here goes nothing. The balance and mass between the Camaro and ATS feel pretty darn similar. Both definitely don’t mind being flung around and are predictable as to what they’re going to do when traction starts going away, making it easier to get back into line. Although, the Camaro did feel a “little” heavier and a “little” less precise. Most of that I’m sure has to do with a lack of AWD. But I also felt like I sat up higher in the Camaro, which could be part of it as well. I do feel like the Camaro has a better overall ride quality than the ATS. I think the Camaro has a little more side-wall on the tires to soak up some bumps in the road.
May 22nd, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Good thing Toyota makes a mid-size truck specifically for N.A. because the new Hilux sure is pure business, if you know what I mean. It’s a moot point to me, though; I wasn’t so crazy about the 2016 Taco. Even if the new one is better overall, I’m grabbing a 2015 while they last.
May 22nd, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Barn find is probably a The 1969 Citroen Maheri,
May 22nd, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Barn Find is Citroen Mehari..
May 22nd, 2015 at 2:56 pm
Thanks for your comments Sean. Visibility was one of the things that kept me from buying a previous generation Camaro. Maybe I’ll give the new one a look see.
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Sean, thanks; that’s some of what I was wanting to know: how it was to the previous iteration, how close to the ATS does it perform, engine adequate (apparently so), vision still a problem (rearward), etc., etc. Do you like the new Camaro or the new Mustang (both good, but do you have a preference?), that sort of stuff.
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:28 pm
24 Sean, did you drive a manual, automatic, or both?
You didn’t crash, did you? I think that was a Jalopnik guy.
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:41 pm
Yes, thanks Sean. That’s interesting about the sidewalls.
_____
So who’s got bets on where Nico parks the car this weekend?
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:52 pm
Indy
Did you guys follow Racer.com’s Marshall Pruett reporting on how the Indy aero kits were given to the teams with only a day’s advance before they started practicing at the brickyard? And now there’s talk about reverting to last year’s oval kit for the rest of the season? Yep, there’s angry people under the pagoda. I hope no one is seriously hurt in the race; sit high up John.
May 22nd, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Car ids a Citroen Sahara
May 22nd, 2015 at 4:16 pm
We got to drive both a manual and auto. New Tremek manual is better than the old Aisin unit. I would take the new Camaro over the new Mustang. I liked the Camaro interior more. Has better seats. The new 3.6L performed well and had a much better exhaust note than the previous V6.
May 22nd, 2015 at 4:43 pm
@31
1st place, as usual for him at Monaco. Go Nico!!
It probably doesn’t hurt that he lives there too.
May 22nd, 2015 at 4:45 pm
It sounds like the new Camaro is kind of a bargain ATS. The Caddy’s interior would be nicer, but you can get a manual with the V6 in the Camaro. You can’t get AWD, but I wouldn’t want it anyway.
Since the Camaro uses the same platform as the ATS, they could offer AWD if there were enough demand, but then it wouldn’t be a Camaro. Yeah, just my opinion.
May 22nd, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Is Toyota advertising on HuffingtonPost now? I believe that’s a HiLux.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
May 22nd, 2015 at 6:02 pm
I’m glad others chimed in with the Citroen Mehari. Always loved those and their rugged little bodies.
May 22nd, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Sam, or anyone who knows, is that Mehari really small, like a Mini Moke, or is it substantially bigger than that?
May 22nd, 2015 at 7:01 pm
If ISIS continues to gobble up territory like this, we will be forced to put troops on the ground once more, and these guys are not gonna go down as easy as the Iraqis did back when we invaded, these guys are really motivated to fight to the end. We need a coalition of allies including the few left from the Arab countries.
May 22nd, 2015 at 7:42 pm
5.23 Mmmm, in truth I was referring to myself doing a tv interview recently. I hope that doesn’t happen again.
May 23rd, 2015 at 11:36 am
31, 34 Did Nico choke in qualifying?
May 23rd, 2015 at 12:33 pm
I didn’t watch it, but here’s James Allen’s account.
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2015/05/hamilton-claims-first-monaco-pole-as-rosberg-locks-up/
Maybe Nico was taking a bigger risk in order to beat Ham, and it didn’t work out. Ham is almost a second ahead of 3rd place Vettel, though JA says fickle weather tomorrow may make for a good race.
May 23rd, 2015 at 2:37 pm
Nico locked up brakes at the end of qualifying session two and again on his last hardcore attempt in qual 3.
A great race (Monaco; history and scenery) but little passing, (so it loses some interest), for me, in watching, but for those without cable, this one is on NBC (tomorrow morning starting at 0730 Eastern time).
May 23rd, 2015 at 3:44 pm
Alonso speaking in Monaco
Something is changing in F1 because the drivers are being much more frank these days. Here’s what Alonso said today after the Honda switched off in quali,
“I don’t want to sound too pessimistic but this is the Monaco Grand Prix, so the race is Saturday. There is a train of cars on Sunday and we’re starting 15th….”
I say they’re all getting worried, finally.
May 23rd, 2015 at 3:51 pm
43 Yep, it’s one of few I can watch while in Indiana. I’ll have to get up earlier than normal, though.
May 23rd, 2015 at 7:11 pm
I can’t watch the Indy 500 live, though. It is blacked out, but they have a re-run at 8:00 or so. I’ll listen to part, or most of it on the radio. I’ve been doing that for more than 50 years. The excitement isn’t what it once was.
May 23rd, 2015 at 7:42 pm
Maybe you might, Kit. The DC ABC affiliate, WJLA livestreams their content online at WJLA.com. That’s what I’m going to try, anyway.
May 23rd, 2015 at 9:39 pm
The Barn Find car is a Citroen Mehari.
May 23rd, 2015 at 10:14 pm
47 I’ll try it. Thanks.
May 24th, 2015 at 9:52 am
Did Mercedes deliberately give the race to Rosberg, to make the championship more interesting?
May 24th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
espn live is streaming in car cameras from Indy.
http://espn.go.com/watchespn/
May 24th, 2015 at 1:27 pm
Incredible. I think I’m hearing Dixon and his team talking about telling the car in front to get out if the way, but the isn’t hearing very well. Lap 62. Yellow now
May 24th, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Electric Ferry ?
or Diesel powered generator electric motor ferry. Truth is most tug boats use diesel engines to power electric motors that drive the propeller. Same is also true of locomotives,.
May 25th, 2015 at 6:04 am
Even though it looks like the Mercedes pits dropped the ball on calling Hamilton in, Hamilton himself erred in requesting to pit (or at least putting doubt in the call by mentioning a tire pressure possible problem); there was a lot going on (at the time), and through a comedy of errors, stuff happened.
Juan Pablo wins Indy. By Indy standards it was a pretty good race; lots of passing/drafting (unfortunately more crashes than there should have been) but a lot of racing (going on) for this one (which sometimes isn’t the case). One crew-man was taken to the hospital (a second pit-man was hit but wasn’t seriously injured); (he was hit by an exiting car that was hit by a second exiting car); (he was wearing a helmet). link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/05/24/two-pit-crew-members-injured-at-indy-500/
May 25th, 2015 at 6:15 am
Morning, Chuck. If you’d like to hear the BBC’s review of the Monaco race, here’s a link. (short news report comes first in the file)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w89lh
It seems that Merc’s calculations were thrown off by the lack of GPS in Monaco, which is at least one reason for the goof.
As for Indy, I got to watch the race from Scott Dixon’s seat, as the livestream was all I could get. Very interesting how the driver communicates with his team, how little of the race and crashes actually get in their mind.
May 25th, 2015 at 8:12 am
HtG, thanks for the link. Interesting BBC report.
I just listened to Indy on the radio; it’s kind of a traditional thing to do in the TV blackout area. Montoya seems to a a knack for doing well at that track, and in thoses cars. He’s 2 for 3 in the 500, was 5th last year, and is leading in points. Meanwhile, he had 2 wins in 150-some Nascar starts.
May 25th, 2015 at 9:55 am
55. yeah, I really like to hear people who know what they’re talking about.
Ya hear, Autoline?
May 25th, 2015 at 4:28 pm
Citroen Mehari!!!
May 25th, 2015 at 6:23 pm
55 It looks like JPM’s NASCAR record was even worse than I said. I looked it up, and he had two cup wins in 255 starts. He needs to stick with Indycar.