2013年大品牌却不受欢迎的10大车型
日期:2013-11-08 14:39

(单词翻译:单击)

The conventional wisdom these days is that there are no bad new cars. You can't buy anything that doesn't start reliably, drive competently, brake safely, and look respectable. For just a few dollars more, you get an array of electronic helpers ranging from navigation devices to stability controls that used to be the exclusive province of premium brands. And even the flimsiest models have reliability records that as recently as a decade ago would be viewed as exemplary.
现如今大家普遍觉得,新车质量都挺不错的。如果一辆车不是启动可靠、驾驶给力、刹车安全、而且外形像样,你是不会买的。而且只需要再多加几美元,就能获得各种电子装备,比如导航仪,或曾经是高档品牌专享的车身稳定控制系统。就算是最不上档次的车型,性能也非常可靠,而仅仅是十年前这就算是楷模了。
Still, some automakers have a clearer vision than others, and some models are better engineered to fulfill their stated purpose. Those that aren't languish unloved on dealers' lots, badly designed, badly timed, or badly priced.
不过,还是有些汽车厂商要比同行更有眼力,而且有些车型工艺也更精良,能对得起它们自己喊出的口号。它们是那些不会停在经销商的停车场上没人搭理、设计拙劣、上市时机不对或是定价不合适的车。
In compiling this list of 2013's most disliked cars, I have been guided by critiques from professional evaluators, reviews by automotive journalists, and sales data compiled byAutomotive News, as well as my own driving impressions and industry reporting. I have avoided piling on distressed brands like Mitsubishi and discontinued ones like Suzuki and obsolete models that are already out of production. I have also tried to avoid traditional whipping boys like the Smart fortwo. But, of necessity, my list is highly subjective.
笔者在编撰这份“2013年最不受待见车型”榜单时广泛参考了多方意见,包括职业评估师的评价,汽车记者的评论,《汽车新闻》(Automotive News)收集的销售数据以及我自己的驾驶体验和行业报告。我没有随便堆砌三菱(Mitsubishi)这样过气的品牌或是铃木(Suzuki)这样的断档品牌,也没有选择那些早已停产的过时车型。同样我也没选奔驰斯玛特(Smart fortwo)这样老是充当替罪羊的车型。但是,我的这张榜单同样也免不了主观痕迹。


2013 Acura RLX
2013款讴歌RLX
As an Autoweek editor observed, "Abusing the Acura RLX is a national pastime among the automotive press." And with good reason; reviewers found it bland, boring, and over-priced. The Wall Street Journal's reviewer skewered the Acura flagship for its "creamy inoffensiveness" and its "hand-sanitized sterility" and judged that it "looks and feels like an exalted, compulsively over-equipped Honda Accord." And over at The Truth About Cars, the reviewer took note of its $60,000-plus loaded price tag and concluded, "Until Acura realigns their flagship's capabilities (or shrinks the price tag) the RLX is destined to be the car everyone likes but nobody buys."
按照汽车网站Autoweek一位编辑的说法:“拿Acura RLX开涮是全美汽车媒体同行的消遣。”这么说也确实有理有据,评论者都觉得这车平淡乏味却价格奇高。《华尔街日报》(The Wall Street Journal)的评论家更是对讴歌的这辆旗舰车型大加讽刺,说它“像奶油一样不讨人厌”,“像消毒双手一样干净”,并认为它“看起来,感觉上就像是一辆被捧得高高的,非要配置过度的本田雅阁(Honda Accord)”。而在汽车网站The Truth About Cars上,评论者则盯上了它那6万美元起的售价并指出:“除非讴歌改变这辆车的配置(要么就降价),RLX注定就是辆叫好不叫座的车。”


2014 Nissan Versa Note
2014款日产骐达Note
Nobody said it was easy to develop a car that sells for $14,000 -- especially one that is engineered in high-cost Japan -- but the Note hatchback, which went on sale in September, falls short on several fronts: an undistinguished design, a hard-plastic interior, and a widely detested continuously variable transmission that is both sluggish and noisy. The Note found no fans at Car and Driver, where "rarely have we wanted out of a car so badly before we made it out of our office parking lot." Dan Neil of the Wall Street Journal was no more charitable. "It is a shambles, a car so out of step with the best in its segment, it almost has an early 1970s, East German vibe to it."
没人会觉得要开发一款只卖14,000美元的车很容易——尤其是这辆车还是在成本奇高的日本打造的——但是这辆九月上市的掀背版骐达Note却在好几方面让人大失所望:平淡无奇的外形,硬塑料内饰,以及广受诟病、迟钝吵闹的无级变速器。在汽车网站人车志Car and Driver上,这辆车没人喜欢,开它的人是这么评价的:“太少见了,大家还没把它开出办公室停车场就很想赶快下车。”而《华尔街日报》的丹?尼尔更不会口下留情:“这车糟透了,跟它同级别里最好的车差了十万八千里,它简直就像是上个世纪70年代早期东欧造的玩意儿。”


2013 Mini Cooper Paceman
2013款迷你库柏Paceman
Mini has built its brand by contriving numerous variations of the same thing, but the latest iteration -- the seventh in its lineup -- seemed to slice the sausage too thinly. Reviewers had a hard time figuring out for whom the tiny, high-style two-door was designed. Complaints focused on function, performance, and a price point that was $1,500 higher than a mechanically similar Countryman with four doors. "The Paceman is no sports car, and the engine doesn't provide many thrills either," said Car and Driver, which called it "a niche variation on a niche model within a niche brand." Edmunds.com advised that "it's safe to say you'll find cheaper and more practical transportation" with more traditional crossovers.
一直以来,迷你打造品牌的手段就是围绕同一款车型不断花样翻新,推出数款变体车型。但这款最新车型——即第七代——似乎细分得有点过分了。评论者很难搞清这辆体型不大,外形时髦的两门车是为谁设计的。大家的怨言主要集中在这辆车的功能、性能和价格上,它的售价要比机械性能相似的四门版Countryman贵1,500美元。《人车志》的评论是:“Paceman算不上运动车型,它的发动机也没法提供很多刺激的动感体验,”并管它叫“一个小众品牌的小众车型的小众改款车”。而汽车网站Edmunds.com则评论说:“可以肯定”,更普通的酷越车“就能比它更好地充当廉价实用的交通工具”。


2013 Dodge Dart
2013款道奇Dart
Launched in mid-2012 with great fanfare as the first Fiat-based product from the new Chrysler, the Dart flunked its close-up. The biggest complaints centered on its two engines, both of which were judged noisy and left the car feeling underpowered. Car and Driver judged the car "lackluster." Consumer Reports was so turned off it failed to award the Dart a "recommended" rating. The 2014 Dart gets a bigger engine, but the additional seasoning isn't likely to be spicy enough to satisfy critics' appetites.
这辆车是2012年年中上市的。当时作为新克莱斯勒公司(Chrysler)首款基于菲亚特(Fiat)平台打造的车型,它着实造了一把势。而大家的抱怨主要集中在它所用的两款引擎上,这两台引擎都被认为是噪音太大,同时又动力不足。《人车志》认为它“乏善可陈”。《消费者报告》(Consumer Reports)对它很不感冒,根本没有给它“推荐”的评级。2014款Dart装了台动力更大的引擎,但这种后加的调料已不太可能满足评论家们挑剔的口味。


2013 Scion iQ
2013款赛恩iQ
The pint-sized iQ arrived on the U.S. market in October 2011 with three strikes already against it. It was a tiny car in a big country, promised high mileage at a time when gasoline prices were stable, and lacked any charm or charisma. Succeeding at-bats haven't improved its average. Consumer Reports called the iQ slow, uncomfortable, and noisy in awarding it a historically low road test score, while Edmunds.com observed, "there are larger, more practical cars that cost about the same." If you need a car that can squeeze into tiny parking spaces, the iQ is considered acceptable. Otherwise, you are advised to shop elsewhere.
2011年10月,这辆迷你iQ在美国上市,跟当时已在售的奔驰斯玛特形成对峙。这是一辆在大国市场上出现的小车,在当时油价稳定的情况下,它主打更长的续航里程,但自身却毫无魅力可言。后续改进也丝毫没有改变大家对它平庸无奇的印象。《消费者报告》认为它速度太慢,驾乘不舒服,噪音还偏大,在路测中给了它一个历史低分。而Edmunds.com则认为:“很多更大也更实用的车跟它几乎一个价。”如果你是需要一辆能挤进狭小停车位的车,那么可以考虑iQ。否则,最好还是买其他车吧。


2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser
2013款丰田FJ酷路泽
Are customers trying to send a message? Annual sales of the FJ Cruiser have sunk to about one-quarter of the 56,255 that were sold in 2006 when the off-roader made its U.S. debut. The FJ had novelty appeal when it was introduced but now seems as anachronistic as its retro styling. Analysts complain about its ride, handling, fit and finish, fuel economy, and noise, and describe its rear visibility as "horrendous." Consumer Reports thundered: "The FJ's off-road prowess is superb, but otherwise this SUV is very flawed." The 2014 model year will be the last for the FJ, and Toyota (TM) has no plans to replace it.
现在消费者是在用实际行动表明态度吗?目前,FJ酷路泽的年销量已经降到56,255这个数字的四分之一左右了,而这是2006年这款越野车刚登陆美国市场的年销售成绩。它刚面世时,还曾因为新奇的外形而颇具吸引力,但是现在它这种复古的外形却像是生错了时代。评论家们对它的驾乘、操控、车身刚度和做工、燃油经济性以及噪音满腹怨言,还说它的尾部看起来“丑得吓人”。《消费者报告》更是毫不留情:“FJ的越野性能没话说,但除此之外这辆SUV简直一塌糊涂。”2014款算是FJ的最后一代,丰田汽车(Toyota)也不再计划推出换代款。


2013 Volkswagen VW Tiguan
2013款大众途观
While the Tiguan is smaller than other compact crossovers and offers less cargo space, it also charges a premium for its German technology, so buyers get less for more. A well-equipped model went for $34,000 in 2013, putting Tiguan at a cost disadvantage to others in its segment. Small space and high price haven't turned out to be a winning combination. U.S. News ranked Tiguan 17th against its competitors, well behind the No. 1 Subaru Forester. Wrote MotorTrend in 2012: "While the Tiguan is marketed as a premium alternative to its rivals, the driving experience and included content simply don't live up to those expectations."
尽管途观的尺寸要比其他紧凑型酷越车小,而且后备箱空间也略小,它却照样因为自己的德国技术而要价颇高,所以消费者钱没少花,得到的却更少。顶配版2013年的售价是34,000美元,让它跟同级车相比处于成本劣势。空间不大、卖价高昂显然没法让它赢得市场。《美国新闻》(U.S. News )就把它排在同级车中的第17位,远远落后于排在首位的斯巴鲁森林人(Subaru Forester)。《汽车族》杂志(MotorTrend)则在2012年对它这样评价道:“尽管途观被标榜为有别于对手的最佳选择,但驾乘体验及其内在却没法让它符合这种预期。”


2013 Chrysler 200/Dodge Avenger
2013款克莱斯勒200/道奇锋哲
The chorus of criticism for these two garage mates has been consistent since they were introduced in the 2011 model year: They are aging designs built around substandard powertrains. Edmunds.com: "It is hard to make a case for the Chrysler 200 sedan."Consumer Reports: "The Avenger, like the related Chrysler 200, is an outdated and outclassed design that is uncompetitive among family sedans." Edmunds.com again: "We still think most consumers will be better off looking elsewhere for their next family sedan, as the majority of the Avenger's rivals, both imported and domestic, offer superior interior designs and a higher level of overall refinement." An all-new Chrysler 200 goes into production early next year, but the latest reports have the Avenger hanging around in its current configuration into 2015.
自这两辆车2011年上市以来,有关这对难兄难弟的批评之声就一直不绝于耳。人们说:它们是基于差劲的动力系统打造的过时车型了。Edmunds.com的评论是:“要为克莱斯勒200说句好话真难。”《消费者报告》说:“锋哲和它的同门克莱斯勒200一样,就是一款过气的、没水准的车型,在家用轿车里毫无竞争力可言。”Edmunds.com还说:“我们还是认为,大多数消费者如果要买新的家用轿车,最好是去看看其他品牌。因为锋哲的大多数对手,不管是进口的、还是国产的,内饰要比它好得多,整体做工要强得多。”明年年初全新克莱斯勒200将会量产,但最新消息称,锋哲还是会保持自己的老样子,打算一直混到2015年。


2013 Ford Fusion Energi
2013款福特Fusion Energi
Plug-in hybrids have been slow to catch on, and economics is the No. 1 reason. The Energi can run about 20 miles on all-electric power before switching over to conventional hybrid operation, but that plug-in capability boosts its price to around $38,700 -- some $8,000 more than the Fusion hybrid. As the reviewer from Edmunds.com observed, "This latest perk in powertrain technology doesn't come cheap." That helps explain why Ford (F,Fortune 500) sold just 750 Energis in September vs. 2,265 conventional hybrids. Concludes Edmunds: "It is a remarkable car, but we find it hard to recommend over the hybrid given the price difference. It takes extra green to be extra green."
插电式混合动力车推广的步子一直不快,毕竟经济性才是大家首先考虑的因素。Energi在全电动模式下可以行驶20英里,之后才切换到常规的混动模式,但这个插电功能就把它的价格推高到了38,700美元——要比混动版Fusion贵了约8,000美元。就像Edmunds.com的评论员所指出的那样:“动力技术的这个最新提升可不便宜啊。”这也说明了为什么福特汽车(Ford)9月份只卖出了750辆Energi,常规的混动版却卖了2,265辆。Edmunds的结论是:“这是辆很不错的车,但是考虑到价格差异,我们很难推荐混动版。想要更绿色环保,那就得多掏点票子。”


2013 Lincoln MKZ
2013款林肯MKZ
The first new model in Lincoln's planned Renaissance hasn't made anybody forget the Mark II -- or the Versailles for that matter. Critiquing the design, The Truth About Cars blogged: "The MKZ's oddly thick C-pillar, kangaroo hips and pseudo-Aston rear deck treatment look like a mismatched, misshapen pastiche." Critics were also unanimous in seeing too much of an everyday Ford in the allegedly premium sedan. "The end result is a little disappointing," wrote Edmunds.com, which rated the Lincoln below a BMW, a Lexus, and even a Volvo in terms of value for money. "You can still get most of its high-end features on the Fusion, for instance, and for a price that's thousands of dollars cheaper.
作为林肯一心打造的复兴计划的首款新车,这辆车却没能让人忘记经典车型Mark II——就这款车来说或许应该说是老款林肯凡尔赛(Versailles)。针对其外形,The Truth About Cars批评道:“MKZ造型古怪的粗壮C柱,袋鼠状车尾和仿阿斯顿马丁的后备箱看起来就像是个乱七八糟、东拼西凑的大杂烩。”而对这辆车号称高端却处处流露出普通福特车的印迹,批评者们也一致表示不满。Edmunds.com在性价比排名中把这款林肯排在了宝马(BMW)、雷克萨斯(Lexus),甚至是沃尔沃(Volvo)之后,同时还指出:“这个结果有点让人失望。比如,在一辆Fusion上你就能获得它的多数高端配置,但是价钱却要便宜好几千美元。”

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重点单词
  • professionaladj. 职业的,专业的,专门的 n. 专业人员
  • misshapenadj. 畸形的;丑恶的,怪异的
  • capabilityn. 能力,才能,性能,容量
  • recommendvt. 建议,推荐,劝告 vt. 使成为可取,使受欢迎
  • unanimousadj. 全体一致的,一致同意的
  • additionaladj. 附加的,另外的
  • havenn. 港口,避难所,安息所 v. 安置 ... 于港中,
  • superiorn. 上级,高手,上标 adj. 上层的,上好的,出众的
  • combinationn. 结合,联合,联合体
  • pastichen. 混成曲,模仿作品