Autos
*Kia could soon add a sporty coupe to its U.S. lineup based on the Koup concept introduced at the New York Auto Show. The apparently production-ready two-door Koup, created at Kia’s California design studio, features a “swoosh” character line from the front roof pillars to the rear, a wide stance and panoramic glass roof. The front-wheel-drive Koup has a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder with gas direct injection and 290 horsepower. Kia also unveiled the 2009 Optima, with a larger grille, narrower headlights and a restyled rear. The base engine is a new 2.4-liter, 175-h.p. 4-cylinder. That’s 13 h.p. more than the 4-cylinder it replaces.
*Ford will add a trailer-stability safety system to its 2009 Explorer sport-utility as the automaker tries to shore up light-truck sales. The Trailer Sway Control works with other electronic stability systems on the vehicle, automatically braking or reducing engine power to keep the driver in control. Ford also is making the feature standard on the redesigned 2009 F-150 pickup. Explorer sales fell 23 percent, to 137,817, last year, when it was surpassed by Honda Motor Co.’s CR-V as the top-selling SUV in the U.S. The 2009 will go on sale in the second half of this year.
*American supercar-maker Saleen has introduced the S5S Raptor concept car that runs on ethanol. The Raptor has a 5-liter, supercharged V-8 that generates 650 horsepower. Saleen President and Chief Executive Paul Wilbur won’t say whether the car will be produced, adding that the Troy, Mich.-based company wants to test consumer reaction first. Saleen also unveiled a limited-edition Mustang named for American racing legend Dan Gurney. It will be available this spring with a 4.6-liter, 465-h.p. V-8 that Gurney and his sons helped tune.
Cycle
*Harley-Davidson says its new museum in Milwaukee will open in July. Harley will give an exact date in the coming months and says it’s offering a membership for $40. People who join by June 1 will be invited to a review of the museum. General admission will be $16 for adults, with reduced rates for children and seniors.
FYI
*Progressive Insurance has posted a $10 million purse as the title sponsor of the Automotive X Prize, a global competition to build production-capable vehicles that can achieve 100 miles per gallon or the equivalent for electric and other alt-energy vehicles. A qualifying race will be held in 2009 and a final race in 2010. Visit www.xprize.org to enter.
*General Motors has set up a joint venture to build Chevrolet cars and SUVs in Uzbekistan in cooperation with UzAvtoSanoat. UzAvtoSanoat, which does final assembly of Chevys from kits from South Korea, will become a full manufacturer of Chevrolets, ramping up to 250,000 vehicles in a few years.
People
*James Selwa is leaving Maserati’s North American division after less than two years as president and CEO. He cites the successful introductions of the GranTurismo sports car and Quattroporte sedan in saying this is a good time to leave. U.S. sales have more than doubled since he took the helm in 2005. Maserati Chief Executive Roberto Ronchi will oversee the North America.
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Quick Trips are compiled from the notebook of Rick Popely and from Tribune news services.
