[ WEEKEND ]
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
The new PT Cruiser comes as a convertible now. Want one? You'll have to wait because there's only one on the island, and it's been sold already.
NOW IN ITS fifth year at the Hawai'i Convention Center, the First Hawaiian Bank International Auto Show offers a rare opportunity for Hawaii residents to see all the latest and greatest vehicles available to consumers, without the pressure of salesmen trying to close a deal.
Three dozen auto manufacturers will be represented at the show, which features each company's 2004 model lineup, along with a handful of 2005 vehicles and a sneak peek at the concept car version of the new Ford Mustang convertible.
2004 First Hawaiian International Auto Show
Where: Hawai'i Convention CenterWhen: Noon to 10:30 p.m. today; also 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $7 general; $5 for seniors and military with ID; $4 for keiki ages 7-12; free for keiki under 7 years
Call: 943-3500
But in this day and age of $2-per-gallon gasoline, one of the cars that will undoubtedly draw crowds this weekend isn't an Infiniti, BMW or Cadillac.
With its technologically advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive, the redesigned Toyota Prius is quickly finding favor among drivers who want to help the environment without sacrificing performance in the process.
"WE'RE ABLE to appeal to more people with the new design, increased power and increased size," said Toyota of Hawaii product manager Michael Steinhilber as we cruised in a Prius near Keehi Lagoon earlier this week. And since it's rated as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV), the car, he said, is "as close to zero emission as you can possibly get."
Combining a four-cylinder, aluminum, double-overhead cam gasoline engine with a permanent-magnet AC synchronous electric motor, the Prius allows for operation in one of three ways: gas-powered, electric-powered or a combination of the two. Under optimal conditions, owners can expect to get up to 600 miles off a single tank of gas.
What's the trick? It's actually quite simple: The Prius' gas engine is always available to power the car, but the use of regenerative braking and the ability of the electric motor to recapture energy during coasting means it can also turn itself off when not in use. And if the engine isn't running, there's no way for the car to waste gas.
Once you're used to the Prius' futuristic push-button start and joysticklike automatic transmission control on the dash, there's not much difference in driving this car from any other with a traditional engine setup.
The electric motor puts out 295 pound-feet of torque, which Steinhilber compares in terms of performance to the V6 engine available in the current Toyota Avalon. That also means you'll have no problem merging onto the freeway, and it was disturbingly easy to reach speeds around 70 mph without even noticing.
Toyota also maintains its reputation for safety, with dual side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control and high-intensity discharge headlights available as add-on options. And if you take into account the optional keyless smart entry and engine-starting system (you never have to reach for a key when getting into or starting the car) and a starting price at just under $20,000, it's no surprise the auto show's main sponsor, Motor Trend, named this vehicle its 2004 Car of the Year.
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Under optimal conditions, Toyota Prius owners can expect to get up to 600 miles off a single tank of gas.
ANOTHER VEHICLE worth seeking out at this year's show is the brand new 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser touring convertible.
Ever since the PT Cruiser was first introduced, car buyers wondered when it would be available as a convertible.
With seating for four and a power top, this new version loses most of its storage-carrying capability, but who would want to carry things around in this car when you can just leave the top down and cruise?
Sadly, there's only one option when it comes to an engine for this car, a 2.4 liter DOHC four-cylinder. Chrysler needs to add a V6 as an option for the PT Cruiser, and they need to do it quick.
HONOLULU RESIDENTS will also be able to decide for themselves whether or not a company like Volkswagen can compare its cars to the likes of Mercedes, Jaguar, Lincoln and other high-end luxury manufacturers.
Carrying a price tag of around $70,000, the new Volkswagen Phaeton is touted as a flagship vehicle, with a 4.2-liter V8 putting out 335 horses under the hood and generous use of wood trim throughout the interior.
Volkswagen doesn't expect to sell more than a few thousand Phaetons per year, so if you've got the money to spend and want to drive something different from the 5-Series and E-Class sedans common on island roads, give this luxury car a look.
All Weekend:
» Mustang Display: The Aloha Mustang and Shelby Club of Hawaii presents a special exhibit in honor of the American pony car's 40th anniversary. Mustang Monthly magazine will have a display highlighting the history of the car.» Tricked-Out Sport Compact Display: Eight highly modified, show-quality vehicles will be on display, courtesy of EFI Unlimited. Check out the 1997 Toyota Supra, 2001 Dodge Viper, 2004 Mercedes AMG E55 and even a 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10!
Today:
» AIG Hawaii Day: The first 100 paid admissions will receive a complimentary backpack-cooler, courtesy of AIG Insurance.Tomorrow:
» R. Lee Ermey: Join the host of History Channel's "Mail Call" as he greets the public and signs autographs from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.Sunday:
» Kids Day: All keiki age 12 and under receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult.» Toy Giveaway: The first 650 keiki to enter the auto show will receive a free McDonald's Happy Meal toy.
» Ronald McDonald: Bring the keiki for a performance of "Get Moving with Ronald McDonald" at noon and 2 p.m.
» Rugrats Appearance: Angelica and Chuckie will say hello to keiki from 3 to 5 p.m..
Significant 2004 vehicles on display:
» Acura TL
» Acura TSX
» Audi A8L
» Audi TT Coupe
» BMW 5 Series
» Buick Ranier
» Buick Rendezvous Ultra
» Cadillac CTS-V
» Cadillac SRX
» Chevrolet Aveo
» Chevrolet Colorado
» Chevrolet Corvette
» Chevrolet SSR
» Chrysler Crossfire
» Chrysler Pacifica
» Dodge Durango
» Dodge Ram SRT-10
» Ford Freestar
» Ford F-150
» GMC Envoy XUV
» Honda Accord
» Hummer H2
» Hyundai Tiburon
» Infiniti FX45
» Infiniti G35
» Jaguar XJ
» Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
» Kia Sorento
» Land Rover Freelander
» Land Rover Range Rover
» Lexus RX 330
» Lincoln Aviator
» Mazda RX-8
» Mercedes-Benz E500
» Mercury Marauder
» Mercury Monterey
» MINI Cooper-S
» Mitsubishi Gallant
» Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII
» Nissan 350Z
» Nissan Maxima
» Nissan Quest
» Pontiac GTO
» Porsche Cayenne
» Saab 9-3 Convertible
» Saturn VUE
» Scion xA
» Scion xB
» Subaru WRX Sti
» Suzuki Verona
» Toyota Prius
» Toyota Solara
» Volkswagen Touareg
» Volvo XC90Concept car on display:
» Ford Mustang Convertible2005 vehicles on display:
» Chevrolet Equinox
» Chrysler 300C
» Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
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Auto dealer McKenna says
Oahu residents enjoy
their vehicles
WHETHER IT'S new or used, stock or completely tricked out, make no mistake: We Oahu residents love our automobiles.
Mike McKenna sees it daily at his dealerships in Kailua.
"We have a tendency to trade cars more often than the mainland does," the owner of McKenna Motors explained earlier this week.
And you're not just imagining things if you've seen more trucks and SUVs on the streets these days.
"The main reason is that the trucks ... they've gone to the dual cabs, what they call a crew cab," said McKenna. "I think (residents) like trucks because it's up higher, they have a better view of the road and they feel it's a lot safer."
MOST OF us don't stop spending money on our vehicles once we get them home, either.
From adding custom seat covers and those fruity-smelling fragrance beads to installing high-end stereo systems or swapping out the rims, each person's ride tells a little bit about the individual behind the wheel.
"It's about putting your personal touch on the car and making it something different from any other car like yours that you'd see on the street," said Dave Hayashi, founder and president of EFI Unlimited, a Honolulu car club that's been on the scene since October 2000.
UNLIKE OTHER HOBBIES that attract only a segment of the general population, car guys (and gals) come from all walks of life.
Young or old, no matter what the occupation, if you've got the money to pay for it, anything is possible.
"It's a venue for relaxation and enjoyment," said Hayashi. "You don't have to be a gearhead to be into cars.
"For true enthusiasts, building a performance car (is) very positive. ... It teaches you, and it keeps you out of trouble."
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