Nissan Leaf or Ford Electric ?

Put aside, for a moment, the question of all-electric car versus plug-in hybrid--and the Volt-LEAF deathmatch that would likely ensue. We've had that question a lot here on PluginCars.com and much of the answer to it simply comes down to knowing your lifestyle and the driving needs generated by it. In many ways the two types of vehicles aren't even in competition with each other because they satisfy very different needs. As a result, the coverage of Volt vs. LEAF tends to be overblown and reality-challenged. It's a fake market comparison resulting from the lack of any other consumer-priced plug-in competition besides those two vehicles.

But, if you're in the market for an all-electric car, the lack of competition for the Nissan LEAF is about change with the impending arrival of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. What this represents is no less than the first time ever that two mass-produced, relatively affordable, consumer-oriented, mid-sized 100% electric cars will be available for regular folks to buy and own. Think about that. A competition the world hasn't seen since the advent of the automobile.

It brings up all sorts of new questions and has sent more than few Nissan LEAF fence sitters and pre-orderers back to the drawing board to re-evaluate their allegiance. While it's difficult to compare the two cars--the LEAF has been out in the wild for more than a month now, whereas nobody's yet driven the just-unveiled Focus Electric--much is known about Ford's intentions and I recently had the chance to drive the gas-powered version of the 2012 Focus hatchback. Ford has promised that the electric version of the Focus won't lose any of the driving dynamics of the gas version. I've also had extensive time behind the wheel of the Nissan LEAF--including the world's first public full range driving test.

At this point I feel at least moderately qualified to answer some of those burning questions to help those who are now trying to decide what to do. I'll do my best. And I'll leave the question of styling preference up to you--I'd be daft not to.
1Handling

The Nissan LEAF is a fun car to drive. With its batteries low and in the exact center of gravity the LEAF has an exact 50/50 weight distribution making cornering effortless. Four-wheel disc brakes and stabilizer bars bring it under control quickly, and the electronic brake force distribution gives you the confidence to dodge impending obstacles with the best of them. With a 107 horsepower electric motor, and an always available 207 lb-ft of torque, the LEAF rockets from a standing start--beating even some high end performance cars at speeds from 0-40 mph. All that torque also makes passing on the highway a breeze. The Nissan LEAF has shown that it can reach a top speed of more than 95 mph.

Although no one has yet driven the production version of the Ford Focus Electric, I'm working on the Ford-professed principle that the electric version will lose none of the driving dynamics of the gas version--which I drove last week on the national media launch.

Like the LEAF, the 2012 Ford Focus is incredibly fun to drive. It, too, has four-wheel disc brakes, stabilizer bars and all the benefits of electric drive… plus it has a secret weapon--torque vectoring control. What is that exactly? A computer monitors the vehicle 100 times per second and when you enter a corner too hard it applies greater brake force to the interior slipping wheels and transfers more grip to the exterior wheels. The result? Even the worst drivers among us will feel like race car drivers. Ford will likely bring torque vectoring to the electric version as well. Although the Ford Focus Electric is rated at a higher 123 horsepower, it only delivers 181 lb-ft of torque. In the electric car world, torque is really the most important aspect of acceleration performance. Ford says the Focus Electric has a top speed of 84 mph.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Although the LEAF is fun to drive, if Ford can pull off its claim that the Focus electric will behave the same as the gas version, the Focus is the better handling vehicle. I repeatedly threw the Focus into corners rated at 25 mph at speeds of 50 mph and the car didn't skip a beat. I rarely ever heard any tire squeal and felt like I was in complete control the whole time. This is a car I would love to get out on a real race track.
2Charging Times

I dealt with this topic just yesterday in great detail. On a standard home charging unit, the LEAF is capable of adding about 15 miles of range per hour of charging, whereas on the same home charging unit the Focus will add about 30 miles of range per hour. The difference comes down to charging equipment on board each vehicle.

So, you say, it's clear cut. Not so fast. Among the two, the LEAF is likely to be the only one to support DC fast charging at launch--which can add about 80 miles of driving range in a half-hour of charging at commercial high voltage charging stations. Being able to DC fast charge brings an electric car much closer to parity with gas-powered cars for range capabilities. By the end of 2011 there will likely be 400 or so DC fast charging station spread throughout concentrated early launch markets in Oregon, Washington, California, Tennessee, Arizona and Texas.

Please see yesterday's post for more complete information.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Of all the comparisons, this is perhaps the least clear cut. But for resale value, future compatibility and functionality, the LEAF seems to be the strongest contender here--especially since you will likely be able to add higher speed home charging on par with the Focus within the next two years. The Focus Electric will never be able to add DC fast charging support if it's not included at launch.
3Battery Technology
The Focus Electric's battery pack is stuck behind the rear seats, a result of it not being engineered as an electric car from the ground up.

Ford has signed a supply agreement with Compact Power, a US-based subsidiary of LG Chem. Nissan's batteries are the result of a joint venture between them and NEC--called the Automotive Equipment Supply Corporation (AESC). Although initially both vehicles' batteries will be manufactured in Asia, starting in 2012 manufacturing will be shifted to facilities currently being built in Michigan (Compact Power) and Tennessee (Nissan).

Although both vehicles use very similar battery chemistry--flat, large-format, lithium-manganese, prismatic battery cells--the key difference here lies in how the batteries are managed. Ford's batteries will be actively heated and cooled using a liquid coolant circulated in tubes next to the flat cells. Nissan's do not have a sophisticated cooling system and largely depend on the movement of air through the batteries to keep them within acceptable operating temperatures. Nissan's approach ensures less-expensive manufacturing, but Ford's may help extend the lifespan of the battery pack.

The conventional wisdom is that heat is the biggest killer of battery lifespan--hence Ford's claim that liquid conditioning will extend the lifespan. All lithium-ion batteries degrade over time and may need to be replaced after 7-10 years. But given that the only data we have related to lithium-ion longevity comes from lab tests, it is hard to know how an entire battery pack will perform in daily driving use. Nissan has provided an 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty and Ford will likely provide a minimum of the same.

In addition to battery longevity, external temperature tends to affect range in an electric car. Although these effects are not nearly as bad as with old lead-acid packs, lithium-ion can still see quite substantial effects when outside temperatures get extreme, lowering the range by 10-20%. The LEAF deals with this by pre-conditioning the batteries when the car is plugged in to keep them warm when it's cold--but this doesn't deal with extreme heat. Theoretically, the Ford Focus will be able to deal with temperature swings to a greater degree and may be better suited to more variable climates.

Who Comes Out on Top?

This is an incredibly difficult call, but without considering price, Ford's active liquid cooling/heating looks like the best option.
4Storage Space

The LEAF has a cavernous rear hatch and monstrous interior head- and legroom--the result of being engineered from the ground up as a dedicated electric car. There are videos floating on the internet showing parents fitting two big strollers in the back of the LEAF with other equipment and gear on top--as well as putting three high-backed booster seats across the back bench.
The Focus Electric's rear hatch volume is seriously handicapped by the location of the battery pack.

While there are no parent-made videos of the Focus Electric yet, it seems that the Focus will be hobbled from the get go because it wasn't designed as an electric car from the ground up. As a result, the batteries have been crammed into spaces normally reserved for cargo… as you can see in the picture to the right with the rear seats folded down. That huge hump filling up what looks like a full quarter of the useable space in the hatch is all battery.

Who Comes Out on Top?

I think the winner here is clear. The LEAF's huge hatch without intruding batteries makes it infinitely more functional.
5Wait Times

The Nissan LEAF is available now and the pre-ordering phase opened up last year. As a result Nissan has stopped taking reservations and is slowly releasing more pre-orderers for delivery. In fact, the lack of speed of delivery has cause quite some consternation on the part of the earliest adopters. Nissan is now saying that they will reach full production volume by March which should go a long way to reducing the wait list and reaching Nissan's promise of delivering all the cars that were pre-ordered by the end of Summer 2011. Even so, if you aren't on the reservation list already it will likely be late 2011 before you get your vehicle.

So, you say, I'm just going to take my money elsewhere an buy a Ford Focus Electric because they'll be available at the end of 2011. Not so fast. Although Ford has yet to detail the launch strategy and production numbers, you can be almost positive they will roll out tentatively as well--meaning that you may have a several month wait to get a Ford Focus Electric from the time they go on sale to actual delivery.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Nissan is already producing cars and will reach full production by March. As a result, if you are already on the wait list you are likely to get your vehicle, at the latest, by fall of 2011, and if you aren't on the wait list you will likely be able to walk into a dealer sometime in early 2012 and simply choose from a vehicle on the lot. Smart money says that Ford won't able to offer that until at least mid- to late 2012.
6Driver Displays
Top: The Nissan LEAF's main driver display.
Bottom: The Ford Focus Electric's main driver display.

Some have said the LEAF's displays are too sparse and lacking in information to help you maximize your mileage, as well as tell you how much actual energy there is left in your batteries. This lack of coaching and driver information means that the car is doing all the calculations for you and you may feel like you are operating inside a black box at times.

Although the Focus display has only been seen as a mock up at this point, what it looks to offer is complete customization and very helpful coaching applications. Based on the same driver displays developed for the Fusion Hybrid and complemented by MyFord Touch, the Focus Electric display appears to be a winner.

Who Comes Out on Top?

Based on admittedly-incomplete information, it looks like Ford will be the early front runner for electric car driver information available on its various displays.
7Pricing

We, of course, know exactly what the LEAF costs: a base MSRP of $32,780 with a $7,500 federal tax credit can knock that down to $25,280. Some states offer their own lucrative credits or rebates as well--in California the LEAF can be had for just a hair over $20,000. In the end, even without the California rebate or other state rebates, you'd be hard pressed to find any vehicle loaded with as much stuff as the LEAF for less than $28,000, making it one of the best automotive deals in the U.S.

We really don't know what the Focus Electric will cost. I've seen the $30,000 number thrown around in various places and we here at PluginCars.com even use it as our estimated price on our Focus Electric page. While that may be the target price for the Focus Electric, it is unclear if that means before or after the $7,500 federal tax credit. My bet is that it is after, given that the Focus has such a sophisticated battery thermal management system.

Who Comes Out on Top?

While we won't know Focus Electric pricing for some months, the best educated guess says that it will be more expensive than the LEAF before tax credits.

http://www.electroleaf.net

About the Author

By Nick Chambers plugins

Best Car Speakers - What to Look For

Car speakers can be a complicated thing if you don't know what you look for as there are many factors that play into finding the right one for you. First off you want to make sure that you're getting a good deal money wise. Doing the research on this is very important, it can be tempting to snag the first one you think will work but get a good list going of what is compatible and make a decision.

While this article is about finding the best speakers it is important to know that without the correct audio setup to be able to power these speakers. If you're not getting enough power to the speakers they will not function properly and can actually get damaged by insufficient power. The standard units that come with most cars are probably not going to be sufficient.

Assuming you have the correct power output you now have to make sure that the RMS on the speakers and on the amplifier match. They both have to have enough power for each other and without the correct amount the system will eventually fail. It would also be wise to know the peak power of the system to ensure unexpected volume boosts or spikes wont damage it.

Many people simply think installing some new speakers will get them the sound they want. It is a general known in the speaker world that unless speakers are full range they aren't worth much by themselves. Having subwoofers and tweeters will give you that full range sound without the distortion you'd get with just a basic speaker alone. You will get a much cleaner and sharper high/low range instead of a good mid with distorted highs and lows.

The next thing we come to is the size of the speakers. Many cars have many different sized speakers and you're going to want to pull out the old ones or check the owners manual to ensure that their replacements are the correct size. This is important because sizes can vary by a very small margin. Some speakers are 5 inches some are 5.5 inches and some are 5.25 inches so knowing the exact size is very important. Ordering some speakers and uninstalling the old ones just to find out you have the wrong ones is a very, very disappointing time. Along with this make sure that the depth of the speaker is not too much. The old speakers could be small with a low margin of error for room fit with how compact cars are these days. Make sure the new ones aren't very much deeper than the old ones unless there is a lot of leeway. Mounting brackets can also take up space so try to account for those as well.

With this information you should have all the concepts you need to find the correct speakers to fit your needs. Picking the right brand is another topic. Simply check out the more popular brands and check customer reviews to find out their true worth. Cross check certain brand prices and find a happy medium. If they're suspiciously cheap with mediocre reviews, it's probably good to stay away, as well as if they're overpriced with not so good reviews, stay away. Find the happy medium with a decent price and great reviews. They're out there, you just have to look!

Steps on Updating Your BMW Navigation DVD

If you BMW is more than one or two year old, it might be the time to update your BMW navigation DVD, especially for the software. The facts that BMW updates with its software every three months by adding new restaurants, hotels, streets and points of interest. Etc. if your driving are much more depending on the car navigation to guide your around traffic jams, you'd better to update BMW navigation software every year.

To update BMW navigation DVD you will need:
• A newly updated BMW disc
• BMW installation manual - different BMWs have different ways of opening the DVD drive but most cars have the drive right in or behind the radio.

Step 1:
Purchase the BMW navigation software. As we mentioned above, BMW releases a new navigation disc every three months. The discs are updated with such items as tourist information, any road changes (newly opened or recently closed roads), locations of parking lots or garages, restaurants, airports, etc. If you tend to be a homebody and rarely explore outlying areas, you might not need to upgrade your BMW navigation software every year. Older BMW car DVD are CD based while those produced after 2002 are DVD based so make sure you purchase the right media for updating of your GPS system. Regardless, whenever you want to update the GPS, you can obtain the or CD at BMW.com.

Step 2:
Locate your BMW car manual and find out how to open the CD/DVD drive. The CD or DVD navigation discs are stored in a drive behind the radio. There will be a button on the radio for either 'eject' or 'open' which you will need to press in order to load the new disc.


Step 3:
Abandon your oldBMW navigation DVD disc. After the drive is open, eject the old disc (if there is one - the newer cars might have the GPS information stored on a computer drive so there may not be a disc. If there is a disc, eject it, and insert the new CD or DVD disc. That's all there is to updating your BMW navigation DVD!

Shelby GT500 Mustang Custom Fit Luggage Set

Being a Vintage Race Car Driver and a Director of a high performance driving program (www.arosc.org), I get to test a variety of automotive accessory items. This seems to be my Carroll Shelby product test month and the new product being tested is a 3 piece luggage set that has been customized to fit the trunk of the Shelby Mustang GT500 -AFTER INSTALATION OF THE TRUNK MOUNTED SHAKER 1000 SPEAKER SYSTEM. In fact this luggage will fit all body styles of Mustangs from 2005 through 2009.

Before discussing the quality and utiitarian details, I'd like to write a few words about the clever, subtle design features that enables 3 substantial luggage pieces to fit in, what appears to be, severly limited space. The deepest part of the trunk, just behind the rear seats is slightly over 9 inches high with a slight down slope. The wheeled overnight bag -22" X 14" X 9" - with a Shelby signature extendable handle, is a rigid, molded frame bag that not only qualifies as an airline carry on, but maintains its shape in the small area allocated. The large capacity - 26" X 15" X 15"- soft sided wheeled duffle not only has Mag Style Wheels, a Shelby signature extendable metal handle, but also a separate lower framed section for suits, dresses, etc. The third piece is a large capacity - 24" X 15" X 14" - hand carry duffle that fits on it side facing the trunk locking unit. When all 3 pieces are in place, there is still room in the drivers side wheel well for a computer bag or briefcase.

Over the past month, this luggage has been put through the wringer. The hand carry duffle, being used to carry my driving suit, shoes, helmet and a variety of track necessities, spent a weekend being pushed, pulled and tossed around our small garage at the track. The other two pieces shared the truck bed with tools, tires and back up engine parts. It was not a pretty sight, but this 'Ballistic Nylon' luggage had virtually no scuffs and cleaned up with a damp cloth. The luggage also made 300 (plus) mile road trip up the Pacific Coast followed a week later to another 300 (plus) miles to Joshua Tree National park. I'm still looking for significant signs of wear.

The utilitarian features of the luggage includes a soft but tough Polyester Broadcloth lining, multiple cosmetic and accessory pockets with rugged zippers and a built in laundry pocket in the large wheeled duffle. The extendable metal handle on the rolling pieces has a well fitted grip and the (Mag Style) wheel assemblies ran smoothly and, imagination being a wonderful thing, they appeared to corner as if they were cambered and toed out.

The attention to detail- metal Carroll Shelby Badge, signature replications and correct logo designs embroidered strategically on the luggage, correct signature on the extendable handle, rubber molded logo in the carry handles of the rolling pieces - all add to the overall quality appearance and feel. The luggage is available through selected Ford Dealerships, www.shelbyperformance parts and the licensed manufacturer www.a2zracergear.com

2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Looses Weight for Better Aerodynamics

The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. It was introduced in 2004 as a new entry in Lamborghini lineup of racers. It was intended to rival the Ferrari F430. The name was derived from the Spanish breed of fighting bull named Gallardo. This means gallant in Spanish and striking in from an Italian language.

Most Lamborghini models are sold in a limited number. The Gallardo is the most produced model as of this moment with 5,000 units built in the first three years. It is a cheaper version of the famous and more powerful Lamborghini Murcielago

It's been made in five variants. The Spyder model of the Gallardo was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. In late 2005, the Gallardo SE (Special Edition) was introduced. The Gallardo Nera (Special Edition) was introduced at Paris Motor Show. Only 185 units of the Gallardo Nera will be produced and 60 are for the American market. A special version of the Gallardo, dubbed the Superleggera was launched at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. And the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 which was revealed at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show.

As of March 2008, the Gallardo is the only model to use the Lamborghini V10 engine. It uses 520 horsepower, 5.0 liter V-10 engine. The V-10 is linked to a 6 speed manual gearbox, or optional 6-speed automatic, and permanent 4 wheel drive with viscous traction. According to Lamborghini, its acceleration can reach up to 100 kilometers per hour in only 3.95 seconds and it has a top speed of 196 mph.

The Gallardo leaves the impression of being one of the sexiest sports cars on the market. The car certainly looks fantastic with its auto parts and can turn heads almost off their necks. This two-seater car measures 4.34 meters in length, 1.90 meters in width and a mere 1.16 meters in height. It weighs in dry at 1410 kilograms. Its lightweight is due to the extensive use of Superman-hard but lightweight carbon fiber. Most exterior components have been replaced with lighter-weight polycarbonate which then reduces the original with 126 pounds.

Modern car-building techniques have made the car surprisingly comfortable and luxurious. This car carries a warm welcome with its handsome interior furnished in rich leather. The position of the seats is very low but it provides head and leg room enough for a mid-six-footer.

Standard features include automatic climate control, power windows and door locks, power-adjustable leather seating, a CD player with two auxiliary audio inputs, an adjustable leather-wrapped steering wheel, and electrically folding outside mirrors.

Overall, reviewers describe the 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo as a truly a world-class sports car with a very attractive image and a mind-blowing speed.

2008 Land Rover LR2: A Better Version "Freelander"

The Land Rover Freelander is a compact crossover SUV made by Land Rover, a subsidiary of the Tata Motors. It is now on its second generation known as the LR2 in areas such as the North America and Middle East. The first generation Freelander was launched in 1997 but it suffered from minor unreliability issues. So a stylish new Land Rover LR2 debuts for 2007 as the second generation Freelander. It was released in 2008, also to comply with the market which is in need of a compact SUV.

The 2008 LR2 is a 4-door, 5 passenger luxury sport-utility, available in two trims, the SE and the HSE. Both trims are equipped with a standard 3.2 liter, I6, 230 horsepower engine that achieves 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. A 6 speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. Reviewers describe its performance as a dynamic SUV, with a very smooth handling, and great power which makes it very capable on and off road.

It terms of its auto parts and exterior looks it comes with an impressive ancestry but looks better than the model it replaces. It is similar to the boxy appearance of the company's more expensive models with softer and more rounded edges. The LR2 looks remarkably muscular, and there is some fine detailing including the fish-gill side vents, kaleidoscopic headlight glass, and square and upright stance. Underneath the unibody LR2 is a fully independent strut-type suspension with larger disc brakes at each corner.

The LR2 has seats for five in two rows. Its interior is very nicely done that it comes near to the point when we can say that it is luxurious. It comes standard with leather upholstery, a massive twin-element sunroof, Alpine nine-speaker audio system with six discs CD changer, six-way power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, and a push-button starter. Also standard is a unique electrically controlled Terrain Response which allows you to choose ride height, throttle response, transmission setting, and traction control.

LR2 has an exceptional safety package. It includes is a unique electrically controlled Terrain Response which allows you to choose ride height, throttle response, transmission setting, and traction control. In crash protection features, it comes with seven airbags, including side curtain airbags for all outboard passengers and head airbags all around. There are also expanded front crumple zones and a safety cage of high strength steel around the passengers.

How to Save Gas with Internal Combustion Engines

When it comes to internal combustion engines, especially with the rise of oil prices in the market year on year, the subject of fuel efficiency ever becomes more important.

Whether the engine is new or old does not matter. On the part of the consumer, he or she would only be willing to maintain an engine as long as there is a perceived added-value in its maintenance, like saving gas.

Fuel efficiency is defined as "the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work." In vehicle terms the measurements we use to save gas is usually in miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (KPL) in other countries.

A rarely known fact in present-day internal combustion engines is that not all of the petrol in engines are efficiently utilized. It is surprising but in even the best-performing unmodified engines only about 20% of the energy is used to move the car. The rest is considered waste like exhaust, noise, etc.

So how to save gas and increase your engine's MPG? Here's a few tips.

- Drive gently. Yes! Your driving style accounts for up to 30% of the savings in fuel economy. How you step on the accelerator makes the difference. When approaching traffic lights or stops, take your foot off the pedal and coast to a stop from a distance. When you move from a still position, push the pedal gently and drive forward slowly to gain momentum. Gentle saves gas. Sudden starts waste petrol. Never turn off the engine unless you intend to stop for some time.

- Coast downhill. Take advantage of the terrain like Sun Tzu's and gravity like Newton. Only for long downhill roads, set the gear shift to neutral and coast again. Keep an eye out for anything. Take your foot off the gas. Never turn off the engine.

- Maintain and record regular checkups. Never miss a chance to have your car checked every three months to tighten the bolts or to fix that rattle. More importantly, have your mechanic drain and change the engine oil, fill the brake fluids, check the sparks, etc. The whole shebang.

- Check the tires regularly. Other then having a routine checkup every quarter, make sure you have the tires checked weekly. Tire inflation significantly contributes to the the wastage of petrol due to the effort the engine has to make to roll against the resistance. Make sure the tire pressure is within acceptable parameters as advised by the manufacturer to save gas. If the tires are bare, replace as soon as possible.

- Unload unnecessities. Take out of the car items which are not going to be used or useful. Extra baggage can eat up lots of petrol. It's like loading a backpack full of books and you were too busy to get them out to read because you're traveling.

- Record petrol usage. Diligently record and file your receipts and you'll be able to accurately track your petrol usage. This practice can help you maximize the savings of a tank of gas on a given period.

- Research. Join the forums and communities. They have lots more innovative suggestions on how to improve your MPG limits. Look into the viability of alternative fuels. Follow the news on the oil issue. Be informed and prepared.