Just another day in the life of Nik Miles

Officials from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), Inc. were joined by dignitaries from the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the State of Georgia, local city and county officials to celebrate the official grand opening of Kia’s first-ever U.S. automobile manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, capable of producing 300,000 cars annually for the North American and global markets. Representing a $1 billion investment by Kia Motors Corporation, the sprawling, new 2.2 million-square-foot automobile manufacturing plant is situated on more than 2,200 acres of land. KMMG consists of four main shops: stamping, welding, paint and assembly. The site also includes a transmission shop, module shop and a two-mile test track where every vehicle produced by KMMG will be thoroughly tested.

BMW Group will unveil the BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid in parallel with the BMW Concept 5 Series at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show

BMW Goup will unveil the new BMW 5 Series Sedan at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. At the same time, the public will experience the new BMW X5, the new BMW 3 Series Coupé and the new BMW 3 Series Convertible for the first time in Geneva from 4 – 14 March 2010. The innovations presented in Geneva in the area of drivetrain technology are likewise more versatile and future-oriented than ever before; BMW EfficientDynamics serving both in BMW’s current production models and in the medium and long term to offer an even higher standard of all-round efficiency. New engines in the BMW 1 Series and the BMW 3 Series, in the BMW X models and the BMW Z4 ensure a further optimised balanced of driving pleasure and fuel economy.

Alfa Romeo will present the Giulietta, a five-door hatchback, at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. The car features a new ‘Compact’ architecture which, thanks to the refined technical solutions employed for the suspension, the dual pinion active steering, the fine materials used and the manufacturing technologies implemented, allows the Giulietta to achieve excellent levels both in terms of on-board comfort as well as its dynamic and safety features (active and passive). From May this year, the model will be on sale progressively on all the major markets.

With Hummer sold off, GMC is back to its dominant position as General Motors’ rough and ready truck and SUV brand. That dominance is boldly asserted in the new 2010 GMC Terrain.

 The Terrain shares a lot of parts with both the Cadillac SRX and the Chevrolet Equinox. So what’s different about the GMC? Mostly visual and touch factors. GMC gifts their vehicles with a more businesslike luxury feeling, as opposed to Cadillac’s opulent luxury and Chevy’s family-oriented economy styling. 

The most striking thing about the 2010 Terrain is the exterior styling. GMC chose large square box flares around the wheel wells and a defiantly blocky front end. Contrast that to the Cadillac’s sports car-derived lines and the Chevy’s family-friendly look, and you  have a true choice of styles within the GM crossover family.

 The 2010 Terrain has a quality interior. The surfaces are plastic, but it’s nice plastic in black and grey and silver tones, with well-executed controls that don’t feel cheap. The touch factors in the GMC are well-done.

 The feature that makes the Terrain exciting is the new Ecotec engine. This is a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection. All automakers are going to direct injection because of its advantages in fuel economy and emissions control.

 Although the power numbers aren’t striking at 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, the four cylinder Terrain moves out like a V6 and delivers 22 miles per gallon in the ciy and 32 on the highway. If you really want the V6, there’s an optional 3-liter engine with 264 horses and 222 pound-feet of torque, at 17 and 25 MPG.

 The Terrain drives like a proper SUV. It has that heavy, planted feel, and offers the driver the “command seating position” that SUV drivers prize. The suspension is firm but compliant, and the seats are comfortable.

 Finally, here’s the best part – the GMC doesn’t cost that much more than the Chevrolet. Base price on the Terrain is $24,250, just about $2,000 more than the Equinox.

 The bottom line on the GMC Terrain is just this: Take a look at it from the outside. Do you like it? If so, you’re going to enjoy driving it and you’ll probably like the way the interior is laid out.  With pricing ranging from $24,000 to $31,000, the 2010 GMC Terrain is an inexpensive and fully-featured CUV.

By Jeffrey Zurschmeide