Brammo reduces price of electric motorcycle

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Brammo has announced a $4,000 price reduction for its recently introduced Enertia. A company representative said the new price is $7,995, and that a ten percent federal tax credit brings the final cost to $7,200.

Brammo CEO Craig Bramscher said that the price reduction was possible due to increases in engineering and supply chain efficiencies as production has ramped up. He added that more than 100 Enertias have been shipped.

With a weight of 324 pounds and a top speed of 60 mph, the Brammo is fun to ride and feels much like a 250cc conventional motorcycle, with similar performance. But even with the reduced price, it still costs considerably more than a 250cc Honda Rebel, which starts at about $4,000. For the price of an Enertia, riders could opt for a larger cruising bike like the $7,000, 745cc Honda Shadow Aero and still have $200 in change for gas.

Still, the Enertia may appeal to some of the urban commuters the company is targeting, who may find its simplicity to ride and maintain appealing, and for whom the 42-mile range isn’t a problem.

The Enertia is sold through Best Buy stores in California and Oregon, and Oregon-based Brammo will sell directly to customers in other states.

Also read: Brammo Enertia electric motorcycles go to Washington, D.C. on road trip.

See our motorcycle and scooter buying advice and ratings.

—Jim Travers  

Jim Travers

2009 SEMA Show: Tire testing and the transformation of the tire industry

Every year Consumer Reports’ tire team attends the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas to meet all the tire manufacturers under one roof. It is an effective way to have face time with industry members, learn about upcoming developments and products, and shape our upcoming tire programs. With these insights, we will soon have outlined the tire models that we will be testing for the next major tire report due next year. This much we do know: we’ll be covering ultra-high performance models, including summer, all season, and performance winter tires.

The dismal economy shaped this year’s SEMA show. Big names such as BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin, and Yokohama were noticeably absent. (Read “2009 SEMA Show: Tire coverage.”) 

But not all companies followed that trend. Cooper had a dominant front entrance booth and was creating a big draw from its major sponsorship of the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) rodeo that was in town the week of the show. Pirelli was there, as in previous years, but employees were dressed in refreshing business-casual attire unlike previous years when the mandatory suit almost made the booth seem overly serious. Pirelli was touting green performance this year. “Green” products seem trendy, but Pirelli’s tact was to demonstrate its new Scorpion Verde All Season tire for SUVs and truck—a tire that is energy efficient and has low noise transmission, but supposedly does not compromise tread life and all-weather grip.

Also present was Hankook, a maturing tire company offering a full array of tire products for aftermarket and original equipment markets. Most Americans’ would be shocked to know that Hankook is the seventh largest tire manufacturer in the world, with record sales tallied in 2008. It perceives itself as the next-generation tire company, growing significantly even during these rough economic times. Upcoming companies like Falken, Maxxis, and Nexen also commanded attention at this year’s show as major contenders in the post-recession period. Nexen plans on developing new tire models dedicated for the North America market soon. They created traffic at their booth with a silly 15-series performance tire in a 365/15R24 size they created—think of an elastic band around a wheel.

Overall, it seemed like the underlying mission among manufacturers was to make a statement of confidence to tire dealers and attendees, moving forward with new products, and a commitment to succeed despite the poor economic conditions. A threat to the big names missing at the show, maybe, but even the major companies present could see the irony by looking down the hallways of the convention center to see so many newcomers. These companies are not household names yet, but can you imagine someday buying tires with brand names like Sunny, Hankang, Linglong, Triangle, and Wanli? Stay tuned.

For Ratings, recommendations, and buying advice on car, truck, and winter tires, see our tires section.

—Gene Petersen 

Cadillac Converj plug-in hybrid gets green light

When it comes to talk about GM’s future cars, the Chevrolet Volt gets all the attention. But the Volt isn’t the only extended-range electric vehicle General Motors has on its drawing boards, according to an article this week by the Detroit News.

According to the report, General Motors’s board decided to build the Cadillac Converj, a luxury coupe derived from the Volt. The company showed a concept of the Converj at last year’s Detroit Auto Show. Like the Volt, the Cadillac Converj will have batteries capable of driving 40 miles that will be charged from an electric socket. After that, small-displacement, four-cylinder gas engine will start to enable longer trips. It will undoubtedly offer luxury features unavailable in the Volt and sell at a higher price, allowing GM to accelerate the return on its investment in the Volt. The Volt is expected to sell for $40,000 and is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax rebate. The Converj could be expected to sell for significantly more. There was no target date announced.

A third version of the Volt, the Opel Ampera, is expected to be sold in Europe, starting in 2011.

—Eric Evarts 

2009 SEMA Show: Our favorite modified Chevrolet Camaros

Ford may have been the featured automaker at the SEMA show this year, but this was also, very much, the year of the Camaro. And that’s understandable. While the customizing crowd has had several years now to play around with Ford’s latest reincarnation of the Mustang, first introduced in 2005 and refreshed for 2009, the Camaro is freshly minted. Last year, the Las Vegas Convention Center was chock full of examples of the then new Dodge Challenger. But this year, you could practically walk one end of the million square feet of SEMA to the other stepping only on new Camaros, without ever setting foot on the floor. But we wouldn’t recommend it.

Here’s a quick look at some of the more notable examples we saw.

Lingenfelter LS7 Chevrolet Camaro

For those who live by the motto "Too much is never enough," Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) has teamed up with Hotchkis Sport Suspension to create this 750-hp Camaro SS. Powered by a supercharged, 7.0-liter Corvette Z06 LS7 V8, the Lingenfelter Camaro also gets Hotchkis springs and anti-sway bars, a custom body kit, upgraded brakes, and various other modifications.

Jay Leno Camaro

Chevrolet showed five Camaro concept vehicles at SEMA, including a twin-turbo, 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 model built for comedian/car collector Jay Leno. With 425-hp on tap, Chevy says Leno’s Camaro delivers the power of a Camaro SS with the fuel economy of a V6. The engine is matched with a six-speed manual transmission. Other modifications include a larger capacity radiator, custom exhaust system, lowered suspension, upgraded brakes, and a body kit with functional brake cooling ducts.

Camaro Synergy

Another Chevrolet concept, the Camaro Synergy features a new color, Synergy Green, that will be offered on a special-edition model in 2010. (Think of it as Chevy’s answer to the Plum Crazy Dodge Challenger.) It also features a variety of accessories offered by Chevrolet dealers including 21-inch custom wheels, a body kit, hood stripes, and a rear spoiler. Other modifications include equipment Chevy says they may offer in the future if there is sufficient public interest, including a lowered suspension, Brembo brakes, and interior trim matching the exterior color.

Yenko Camaro

The son of a Pennsylvania Chevrolet dealer, Don Yenko started modifying Chevys in the 1960s, and he became a legend for transplanting 427 cubic-inch engines into Camaros and other Bowtie-wearing coupes. General Motors Marketing Capital now owns the rights to the Yenko name and brand, and it showed a prototypes of a new Yenko Camaro. Based on a Camaro SS, the Phase 1 Yenko gets a 600-hp, 7.0-liter supercharged LS7 V8 matched with a six-speed manual transmission. Other modifications include upgraded brakes, high-flow exhaust system, and 22-inch Yenko-specific billet aluminum wheels. Cosmetic touches include Yenko striping and badging, and obligatory "sYc" logos on the seats and floor mats. Like the original Yenko cars, plans call for a Phase II and Phase III versions with more power and performance.

For more information on the latest Chevrolet Camaro, see our road test and video.

—Jim Travers

New Ford Ranger, Ka not coming to U.S.

Although Ford is redesigning the Ranger pickup for the rest of the world in 2010, it won’t bring the new version of its compact pickup to the United States.

That’s the news from Ford CEO Alan Mulally, in an interview with Automotive News. (He also said Americans would not be interested in a vehicle as small as the European Ka, a model sized beneath the upcoming Fiesta, sharing its platform with the Fiat 500, Chrysler will sell here.).

The new Ranger was designed in Australia and will be built in Thailand, the second-largest pickup market after the United States.

The new Ranger would have replaced the current Ranger which has been on the market in the U.S. with only minor changes since 1983. When we last tested it, the Ranger scored 25 out of a possible 100 points, too low to be recommended. We found the ride stiff, the handling vague, the cabin cramped, and the powertrain unrefined and outdated.

For 2010, the American Ranger will get new side air bags, electronic stability control with rollover protection, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It is scheduled to go out of production in 2011.

Meanwhile, other sites have speculated that Ford is considering building a new midsized pickup, called the F100, based on the fullsized F-150. 

 —Eric Evarts

2009 SEMA Show: New iPhone apps for auto diagnostics

New iPhone apps seem to be appearing daily in the Apple iTunes store, if not by the minute or even second, and car-related ways to utilize the popular convergence device are no exception. (See our iPhone navigation application reviews.)

Two exhibitors at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show brought devices that can turn an iPhone or iPod Touch into a vehicle diagnostic tool, maintenance minder, mpg meter, and provide performance-oriented drivers with customized gauges and track mapping for weekend racers. In fact, they offer many additional features, too numerous to list here.
 
The Kiwi Wifi from PLX devices and goLINK Protocol Converter both connect to the On-Board Diagnostics II (OBDII) system in your car to transmit all sorts of vehicle data and information. The big difference is the Kiwi Wifi (you guessed it) transmits the information to the phone wirelessly, and goLINK uses a cable to link directly to the iPhone. Both are compatible with passenger vehicles built after 1996.
 
The Kiwi Wifi and goLINK offer similar menus for iPhone users, partly because they work with some of the same software providers. They’re also priced the same, at $150 each. A number of add-on software options are available at the Apple apps store to take advantage of the connection. One such app is Rev by Devtoaster ($39.99), which records and displays real-time vehicle data like horsepower, torque, fuel consumption, and myriad powertrain details to aid tuners and racers (shown here).
 
The Kiwi Wifi module is available now. The goLINK device comes on the market in January 2010. Details can be found at gopointtech.com and plxdevices.com.
 
—Jim Travers with Liza Barth

Average gas prices--November 9, 2009

Gasoline prices are down in all regions compared to the week before. Diesel is down in all regions except the Rocky Mountains. The national gasoline average is about $.44 above the price this time last year. Diesel fuel is $.14 below this time last year.

National regular gasoline prices	Price	Change from last week
Regular gasoline/gallon	$2.67	↓ .03
Diesel fuel/gallon	$2.80	↓ .01
Regional regular gasoline prices
East Coast	$2.66	↓ .01
—New England	$2.69	↓ .01
—Central Atlantic	$2.70	↓ .01
—Lower Atlantic	$2.63	↓ .02
Midwest	$2.61	↓ .06
Gulf Coast	$2.53	↓ .04
Rocky Mountain	$2.60	↓ .00
West Coast	$2.91	↓ .00
—California	$2.98	↓ .01

Source: Energy Information Administration, 11/9/09. Figures rounded to the nearest cent.

For more information on saving fuel see our reports on how to get the best gas mileage and where to find the cheapest gas.

Making car power windows safer

Each year children die needlessly in and around vehicles. The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, signed into law in 2008, is aimed at helping to reduce the statistics and making vehicles safer for children. The Act requires the Department of Transportation to research a number of vehicle safety issues related to children, including power window safety. Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a proposed rulemaking on adding technology known as auto-reversing systems (ARS) that would help avoid power window injuries by stopping a window if an obstruction is detected. NHTSA proposed not to mandate ARS on all windows and is seeking comment. Consumers Union (the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports) sent in comments in response to NHTSA strongly urging the government to require ARS technology on all light-passenger vehicle windows. (Read the comments from Consumers Union.)
 
The safety issue with power windows was addressed in part in 2006 when NHTSA decided to ban power window rocker and toggle switches from U.S.-manufactured vehicles. Car makers must now equip passenger vehicles with safer lever switches (which must be pulled up to close the window) by Oct. 1, 2010. A number of consumer organizations, including Consumers Union, Kids and Cars, and the Center for Automotive Safety petitioned NHTSA to enact this regulation, but at the time, the agency omitted including the auto reversing technology. NHTSA has determined that the issue will be largely addressed by requiring the safer switch types and that most fatalities are a result of someone (mostly children) inadvertently hitting the switch.
 
NHTSA’s research finds that 1,943 people are injured each year and six deaths occur from power windows closing on passengers. They estimate that the cost would be approximately $6 per window to add the feature. The technology is standard on most European vehicles, but it is on less than half the models from Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors.
 
Even though NHTSA is not recommending the new technology on all cars, they are proposing to require automatic reversal systems on windows that already have a one-touch or “express up” mechanism to close without continuous pulling up of the window switch by the operator. However, because most rear windows are not one-touch or “express up,” Consumers Union believes the requirement for ARS should extend beyond these types of power windows. We have observed vehicles for which the auto-reverse function does not work if the switch is being held continuously.
 
We hope that this life and injury-saving technology will be mandated in the future. In the meantime, adults need to be extra vigilant when using power windows to make sure rear passengers and children are not in harms way. And let this be a reminder not to leave children unattended in a vehicle, especially one that is running or has accessory power on.
 
For a list of 2009 vehicles that are equipped with ARS see safercar.gov. (Download pdf.)

Read: "Which power-window switches are safer?"

For more on child safety, see our kids and car safety guide.

—Liza Barth

2009 SEMA Show: World's fastest Honda Civic circa 1976

Way back in 1974, long before there was an Acura NSX, Honda S2000, or even a Civic Si, there was Honda performance pioneer Bob Boileau, otherwise know as “Honda Bob.”
 
Bob campaigned this Honda Civic on race circuits years before anybody started thinking of Hondas as performance cars. Bob and his Civic earned the title of World’s Fastest Civic in 1976, when he was clocked at 146 mph at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway. Bob went on to win six Sports Car Club of America GT5 championships between 1985 and 1990.

What makes all those championships even more notable is that Bob earned them back in the days when performance parts for the Civic were virtually unavailable. But he arguably helped set the stage for years of tuners and Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) show exhibitors to come.
 
This year the tiny, unrestored Civic earned a place in the back of the Honda booth at SEMA, duct-taped fenders and all.
 
Hats off, Honda Bob.
 
—Jim Travers

Review: Motorola Droid with free Google Maps Navigation

Navigation options continue to expand, with cell phones and smart phones providing alternatives to traditional portable navigation devices (PNDs). The latest such option is Google Maps Navigation, included in beta form on Android 2.0 devices. While Google Maps has long been available on the iPhone, this latest version offers true Google turn-by-turn directions for the first time on a mobile device. (Read our Android 2.0 navigation preview.)
 
The free Google Maps Navigation launches on the Motorola Droid phone with Verizon service. The Google service will expand to other phones and smart-phone platforms running other operating systems.
 
We tested the Google navigator on the Droid, a slider-style phone with a full QWERTY keyboard. The Droid has a 3.7-inch screen, giving it an advantage over the 3.5-inch iPhone screen. It also has the ability to run multiple applications at once, unlike the Apple phone. Perhaps the greater advantage is that it is on the Verizon network, rather than AT&T, which as been higher rated in our national cell phone surveys. (See our iPhone navigation app reviews.)
 
Verizon has the exclusive on the Motorola Droid, which is priced at $199, after a $100 rebate. Nationwide cell-phone voice plans begin at $40 a month, with e-mail/Web data plan adding at least $30.
 
Like other cell-phone navigators, Google Maps Navigation is server based—meaning it downloads maps and points of interest data as needed, rather than storing a large database on the device. Consequently, a data plan is required to use it. In addition, a cell signal is needed—limiting its usefulness in some remote places. In areas without a 3G network, downloading maps and recalculating routes can be slowed. An upside of this approach is that the data is always current and there is no need for map upgrades.
 
Test findings
As a navigator, Google Maps Navigation has common features, including spoken street names, and provides adequate routing. However, it does not include some features found on mid-priced PNDs and even some iPhone applications, such as reality view and lane assistance.
 
On the other hand, the free, bundled Android application has some of the more enticing features found in the online version of Google Maps. For example, a user can layer additional information on the main map screen, such as real-time traffic patterns, selected POIs, and satellite imagery of the actual landscape. “Street view” provides a photographic street-level representation, with the ability to zoom and pan the area. This could potentially be helpful when identifying a destination. All navigators indicate “you have arrived,” though this can theoretically literally show your destination.
 
These innovative features are novel, but the practical use when driving is limited. The satellite layer makes it more challenging to interpret the map at a glance, and street view can be confusing, as we found it often wasn’t accurate.
 
Following the connected trend among navigation devices, Google Maps Navigation taps users to supply traffic information, to provide user reviews for POIs, and to share their current location with Google Latitude.
 
Basic route guidance is adequate, providing turn-by-turn directions. Address entry is mixed. Some users found the onscreen menus to be less intuitive than those found on a traditional PND, and the touch-screen operation is less intuitive. The slide-out keyboard provides an alternative method to entering data, but its keys are small and closely placed. We found using it to be more difficult than with other competing devices. However, the Droid does have plain-speech voice recognition, allowing for verbal data entries in a more natural way than premium PNDs with voice recognition. We found this worked well.
 
The application sometimes feels more like using Google.com via a handheld, than an integrated solution. For example, a query from the main menu leads to Google.com, which can be confusing. To get results like on traditional PND, a user must be on the map screen (or navigation) then perform a search.  This will drop pins on the map and a user can select a pin to navigate too. The user can view the results in a list, as well, by tapping an icon.
 
When receiving a call, the screen changes and the map is no longer visible. This effectively negates the Android’s multitasking capabilities, whose chief in-car benefit would be to use the phone and navigation simultaneously.
 
Bottom line
The power and potential of Google Maps Navigation has captured the attention of the GPS industry and tech enthusiasts, but this service has a way to go to be compared among the best solutions for GPS navigation. That being said, if you decide to buy a phone with Google Maps Navigation preinstalled, it is adequate and would eliminate the need to pay for GPS and traffic services. But don’t let this software be the leading reason to purchase an Android 2.0 phone.

As we have seen with iPhone applications, software can advance rapidly. Clearly, Google Maps Navigation has promise. Consequently, competitors will likely redouble their development efforts, ensuring consumers have better navigation choices down the road. For now, we favor the better iPhone applications such as Navigon, Tomtom, and MotionX offerings for the combination of software and hardware.

For frequent use, a dedicated portable navigator remains the best choice.

 —Jeff Bartlett and Frank Spinelli

Also read:
Droid vs. iPhone: A 10-round bout
Our first impressions of the Motorola Droid
Garmin Nuvifone G60 navigation review

See our reviews of AT&T Navigator, iGo My Way, Gokivo, Navigon Mobile Navigator, Sygic Mobile Maps, TomTom iPhone application, and X Road G-Map for iPhone.

Images courtesy Motorola and Google.