Mmm, mmm, Five!

November 8, 2005 - By John LeBlanc

Didn't they also just have the Olympics? Doesn't seem like it's been four years since BMW launched the controversial “flame surfaced” Z4 Roadster, does it? Nonetheless, with recent salvos from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in the premium sports car wars, the Munich-based company has seen fit to update its open top roadster, primarily in the drivetrain department. Arriving next spring, the two existing Z4 Roadster models will receive the magnesium alloy inline-sixes with Valvetronic variable lift and VANOS variable valve timing that the '06 3 Series sedans already enjoy in their engine bays. This means boosts in horsepower from 184 to 215, and 225 to 255, respectively. The third, newest, and most powerful Z4 yet, the M Roadster, arrives at the same time with the 333-hp, 3.2-litre mill from the hellacious M3 Coupe. BMW Canada has yet to confirm when to expect the production version of the Porsche Cayman-baiting hardtop Z4 Coupe concept that was shown at Frankfurt this past September, but count on an M version (or should that be, “MMMM…”) as well.

We're here for a good time, not a long time The Former Big Three have certainly made huge strides in off-the-showroom floor quality, getting closer and closer to the vaunted Japanese each year. But what about when that new car smell fades? Last week, Consumers Reports published its annual new-model preview saying that in terms of durability from 2-8 years after purchase, the majority of Japanese brands are still way ahead, rating Toyota's can't-do-wrong Prius as the most reliable of the 2006 models. However, buying a Japanese brand doesn't necessarily guarantee a reliable car, as the Infiniti QX56 huge-ute was rated as the least reliable vehicle for 2006. CR also gave examples of models that have successfully reached their target audiences on styling and functionality, such as the BMW 5-Series and the Nissan Xterra. Nameplates not doing so hot are: the Kia Amanti; Lincoln Town Car; the U.S. only Mercury Montego, and last year's car of year ad nauseum, the Chrysler 300.

My head's not in the sand, I just lost a contact Not wanting to admit that they may not have an unabashed hit on their hands, Honda officials last week blamed competitor's incentives on their light trucks as to why Honda's new Chevrolet Avalanche-wannabe, the Ridgeline, isn't selling as hoped for. In an interview last week with the Automotive News at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui said Honda would not join the incentive wars to jump-start Ridgeline sales, but will “adjust our production" at the Alliston, Ontario plant where the Ridgeline is exclusively built.

How do you say “Ess-rrr-tee-four” in German? Last week U.S. Dodge officials made it crystal clear that the 2007 Dodge Caliber, unlike the just cancelled SX 2.0 (nee Neon) will not compete as an entry-level car. Sized more like the Vibe/Matrix, the five-door Caliber will have premium technologies-like all-wheel-drive, and a continuously variable transmission-with the appropriate premium prices. So where's a loyal Neon buyer to go? Not wanting to be left out of the bottom of the market-that is quickly filling up with Toyota Yaris', Nissan Versas, Honda Fits and Chevy Aveos-in a separate announcement, VW chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, "Why shouldn't one also consider, for example, cooperating with Dodge on the (VW) Polo? With plans already steaming ahead to build a Volkswagen minivan off Chrysler's Town & Country in North America, a Dodge version of the sub-compact Polo (especially the just released Polo GTi) would make an interesting addition to the North American market, no?



There will be a full FTLOD Review to come, but here's some top-of-mind impressions after driving the 2006 BMW M5 for the first time last week:
In the unofficial automotive Olympics, the M5 is a gold medalist decathlete. A technical tour de force from a company that sometimes can make the nice folks at NASA look like a knitting bee. However, here’s the skinny on how to get the most out of the M5 for what it will be used for 95% of the time—passing other cars: 1) Ensure SMG Drivelogic is slotted into S Mode for immediate access to all seven gears via the steering wheel gear shift paddles; 2) Activate Launch Control so gears will shift shortly before max engine speed is reached; 3) To make sure the car stays on its toes, Select Sport from the three available Electronic Damper Control settings; and finally 4) Make sure the Power button is “on”. This ensures all 500 of the horses you paid for are keen to take your whip. Ready? Flick. Bang. Whoosh. Bye-bye!

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com

© National Post 2005. This article originally appeared in The National Post's Driving.