Simple, clever, fun. That’s the philosophy behind the vehicle you see pictured above, the Loremo (pronounced lo-ray-mo which is short for Low Resistance Mobile). Of course, there’s nothing simple about designing and building a car, but there has certainly been a large need for cleverness to meet our current standard of “fun”.
Don’t let the picture fool you. There’s nothing really new here, aside from the impressive 50g/km CO2 figure. This car achieves its high level of fuel efficiency by taking current fuel-saving methods to a level almost beyond reason. A main part of this is weight saving. Every part of the car has been stripped down to its ‘bare essentials’, including the interior, chassis, wheels and tires, and engine (though oddly enough, it still possesses a navigation system). The designers have optimized its drag coefficient all the way to the width of the tires – wider tire = more friction. This is a good thing, since engine options are either a 2-cylinder 20hp turbodiesel, or a 3-cylinder 50hp turbodiesel. The former will get you to sixty miles per hour in a blistering 20 seconds, while the latter will get you there in 9. Fuel efficiency, however, is very impressive – 1.5L per 100 km (translated 188 mpg). Not too shabby.
The coupe is labeled as a 2+2 because the trunk boot is ‘ergonomically shaped’ so that two children can fit “comfortably” facing rearward – given, of course, that they don’t get car sick. One enters the car by opening the front or rear ‘gate’ (see gallery). The front lifts the entire nose section from the A-pillar forward, taking the steering wheel with it. According to the website, it’s as easy as getting in a bathtub. Uh-huh.
It’ll be a while before we can test that out. Production versions of the Loremo won’t be available until 2009. Weighing in at just over 990 lbs. to just under 1040 lbs., it might be fun to drive – but is it worth the pain to one’s cornea? I mean, I like the headlights and taillights, and even the Tesla-esque nose, but really. The profile doesn’t look as though it has evolved past the early sixties. Retro isn’t that much back in.
Maybe if I saw one in person… nah.
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A minivan might not be the sexiest car you can drive — although, let’s face it, what says procreation better than aminivan? — so when you’re searching for a new model, it’s all about the features–the seats, the cupholders, the cubby holes and the entertainment features to keep the little monsters quiet on a trip.
Here are the top minivans on the market, and what’s coming for 2013.
MSRP: $24,900 – $29,190
Invoice: $24,165 – $27,275
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
Well, the least popular minivan on our list is going away for 2013. Kia is retiring the Sedona, not even bothering to give it a mild refresh. A new Kia minivan will be on sale for the 2014 model year.
If you like theKia Sedona, you’ll have to buy one used or one that’s hanging around on a dealer lot. Might be a good time to try to strike a deal. Because it’s going away, the residual value won’t be great, but if you are the type to drive a minivan into the ground and the milk spills begin to eat their way through the floor, you may get a good deal on a leftover Sedona.
Research the Kia Sedona
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Kia Sedona Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $25,990 – $42,640
Invoice: $24,222 – $39,039
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
The quirkyNissan Quest sometimes seems like it’s trying too hard to impress. Because of the dominance of Chrysler, Toyota and Honda in this category, it comes in seventh on the list of most searched minivans on AOL Autos.
Nissan seems to recognize that it is driving uphill, and has lowered the base price for the Quest, slashing $2,200 off its sticker price compared with 2012. It also gets a smidge better fuel economy, gaining 1 mpg on the highway.
Customers who opt for the decked-out Quest will now get a fish-eye rear view camera standard on the LE models. And Nissan is now making DVD systems available on all but its base model.
Research the Nissan Quest
Nissan Quest Photos & Information
Nissan Quest Best Deals
Nissan Quest Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $27,020 – $44,280
Invoice: $25,912 – $42,465
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
TheVW Routan is essentially a re-badged, slightly tinkered Chrysler Town and Country. Given the popularity of those minivans, you’d think the Routan would be faring better in the marketplace. But the car just hasn’t caught on. VW doesn’t market it much either, so awareness of the VW is low.
The Routan doesn’t offer some of Chrysler’s cooler features, like in-car wireless. But it does have fold-flat seats and power liftgates, just like its Chrysler bretheren.
For some people, that, and the German branding, is enough to justify the slightly higher cost compared with Chryslers vans.
For 2013, don’t expect many changes to the Routan. It’s largely a carryover from 2012.
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Volkswagen Routan Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $19,625 – $24,025
Invoice: $18,771 – $22,975
Fuel Economy: 21 mpg City, 28 mpg Highway
TheMazda5 is technically not a minivan, but consumers on AOL Autos research it like it is one, so we put it on the list. Mazda would like it to be called a “multi-activity vehicle” — because they know that many people abhor the word “minivan” — but it is what it is.
The car seats six, has sliding minivan-esque doors, and many of its customers have families.
Mazda hasn’t yet released details of its 2013 Mazda5. The car might get Mazda’s SkyActive technologies, which helps increase fuel economy and increase engine output. AOL Autos Editors, all of whom have tested it, agree it is a terrific alternative to a traditional minivan, though we all have our affections for different minivans as well.
But since the car was mostly redesigned for 2012, we don’t expect many changes.
The Mazda5 is a good option for customers who need room for families, dogs, or maybe even bikes, but want to get better fuel economy.
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Mazda5 Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $28,575 – $43,925
Invoice: $26,138 – $40,139
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 27 mpg Highway
The biggest change for the newHonda Odyssey is that rear backup cameras will now become standard across the lineup. That is a big deal, though, because they have become incredibly popular with drivers and we editors, as well as shoppers, miss them when they aren’t available. Otherwise, no major changes are expected.
But that’s OK, but the Odyssey is an excellent choice in our book. What’s not to like? It’s the class leader in fuel economy, won a top safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and holds its resale value well.
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Honda Odyssey Best Deals
Honda Odyssey Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $29,995 – $39,995
Invoice: $28,735 – $37,935
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
Don’t expect any earth-shattering changes to this already successful model. A new version is coming out in 2014, so for now, the changes are minor.
Mostly the changes will be in the entertainment package. Chrysler is offering a Blu-Ray DVD system for rear passengers, which features two screens and a HDMI port so kids can plug in their high-definition video games and play while on the road.
And anyone purchasing an in-car DVD system will get a higher definition screen compared with last year’s models.
We still love the stow-n-go second row seats that fold away into the floor for maximum versatility. This makes the Chrysler a superlative choice not only for families but for empty nesters who buy minivans (yes, there are many) to ferry grand-kids, and also to use for carrying stuff like bikes, Home Depot purchases, etc.
Research the Chrysler Town & Country
Chrysler Town & Country Photos & Information
Chrysler Town & Country Best Deals
Chrysler Town & Country Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $26,435 – $41,325
Invoice: $24,453 – $38,020
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
TheSienna is a perennially popular minivan, and so the move Toyota is making with this car could end up setting a trend in the industry. Toyota is dumping its four-cylinder versions of the vehicle, because the company says the six-cylinder gets great fuel economy and is powerful enough to do everything you need to do with a minivan.
The move makes sense, since the four cylinder only got one mile per gallon better fuel economy than the six cylinder.
Other changes include: easier-to-clean fabrics on LE trim as well as an eight-way power adjustable seat. Buyers who opt for the Limited trim will get a standard Blind Spot Monitor, but you can also get that technology on cheaper models as an option.
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Toyota Sienna Photos & Information
Toyota Sienna Best Deals
Toyota Sienna Local Dealer Price Quote
MSRP: $19,995 – $29,995
Invoice: $19,745 – $28,545
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
The most-researched minivan on the AOL Autos site is theDodge Grand Caravan, which is not entirely surprising given what a great minivan it is. And it probably helps that Chrysler has worked to make the Grand Caravan a more “manly” minivan, whatever that means.
Like the Town& Country, which is also made by Chrysler, there won’t be many changes to the 2013 Grand Caravan, besides the enhanced entertainment features. Both models will also include a USB port, so people can plug their smartphones into the car to charge.
Expect big changes to the Grand Caravan and Town and Country in 2014, when the cars are due for a redesign.
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Dodge Grand Caravan Photos & Information
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Dodge Grand Caravan Local Dealer Price Quote