Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept With 210 Horsepower


The Volkswagen Beetle Dune concept, in “Arizona”, a yellow-orange metallic paint and based on the R-Line model, shows the potential for a new production version of what VW calls "the sportiest Beetle ever". Powered by a 210 horsepower turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Beetle Dune has a manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The wheel wells widen the body by 1.1 inches per side to give a total width of 73.4 inches, an increase of 2.2 inches over a stock Beetle. The Dune's overall length has increased by 0.5 inches to 168.9 inches and the car is both 2.0 inches higher off the ground and 0.8 inches taller than the R-line.

2015 Mercedes‑Benz S600 Coming This Spring


The Mercedes‑Benz S600 with a 523 horsepower 6.0L V12 biturbo engine delivering 612 lb-ft of torque is available with a long wheelbase and a luxurious equipment package. The S600 now for the first time features the ECO start/stop function as standard along with the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension with ROAD SURFACE SCAN, the Driving Assistance Package with Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering ASsist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with Pedestrian Recognition and PRE-SAFE® PLUS, head-up display, and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS in addition to the adaptive Brake Assist system.

Mercedes‑Benz S600 will be launched in this Spring.

2015 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe - All-New Early This Summer


The all-new 2015 BMW M3 Sedan (above), the fifth generation of the M3, and 2015 BMW M4 Coupe (below) are powered by an all-new 425 horsepower 3.0-liter inline-6 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology delivering peak torque of 406 lb-ft and mated to either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. The standard sprint from zero to 60 mph takes the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe 4.1 seconds and equipped with the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission, 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph and fuel consumption has improved nearly 25 percent over the previous model.

The CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic) roof, which was only on the outgoing M3 Coupe version, is a standard feature on both the new BMW M3 Sedan and the new BMW M4 Coupe. Both the new BMW M3 and new BMW M4 are equipped as standard with BMW M compound brakes or available optional lighter BMW M carbon ceramic brakes, which come with gold-painted calipers.

The all-new 2015 BMW M3 Sedan and 2015 BMW M4 Coupe models will go on sale early this Summer.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Audi allroad shooting brake Crossover concept car


The Audi allroad shooting brake Crossover concept car achieves 408 horsepower from a 288 horsepower 2.0 TFSI transverse mounted two-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and e-tron-quattro technology that produces 300 kW of power from plug-in hybrid drive with two electric motors connected to a six-speed e-S tronic dual clutch transmission. The car is 163.8 inches long and at 123.8 mpg has a total driving range of more than 509 miles.

There is the EV mode for all-electric driving where the rear axle electric motor can accelerate the two-door car to a top speed of 80.78 mph. In Hybrid mode,  the electric motor in front acts as a generator driven by the engine, charging the battery to extend the car’s effective electric driving range. In Sport mode, the electric motor at the rear axle works together with the 2.0 TFSI in a boost mode.

2015 Acura TLX Prototype Goes Into Production For Mid-Year Delivery


The 2015 Acura TLX Prototype is 3.8 inches shorter in overall length (190.2 inches) than the current TL, and rides on the same 109.3 inch wheelbase as the TL between the smaller ILX and larger RLX sedans. Coming in two-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, the TLX has two engine choices. An all-new 2.4-liter 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine employs direct-injection and Acura's i-VTEC® valvetrain, and is significantly lighter than previous Acura engines of similar configuration and displacement and is mated to an all-new 8-speed dual clutch transmission with torque converter. Another choice is a 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 that also employs direct injection and VTEC variable valve control and cam timing along with fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management™ cylinder deactivation technology and is mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission. The all-new 2015 TLX performance-luxury sedan is launching mid-year at Acura dealerships nationwide. 

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe Coming This Summer


The all-new 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe rides on the same 109.3-inch wheelbase as the sedan offering the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, powered by a 272 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 321 horsepower 3.6L six-cylinder engine featuring direct injection and dual overhead camshafts with continuously variable valve timing, and matched with the Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control. A six-speed manual is also available with the 2.0L Turbo. The 2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe goes on sale this summer.

2015 Subaru WRX STI - All-New 305 Horsepower Flagship


The all-new 2015 Subaru WRX STI powered by a 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged BOXER engine has a stiffer chassis, firmer springs and faster steering along with Active Torque Vectoring, Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control, and a Brembo® Performance Brake System with Super Sport ABS. A new multi-information central display with 4.3-in. LCD screen provides a multitude of vehicle system functions, including a standard rear camera display, a boost gauge display, audio (on non-navigation models), Bluetooth and climate control settings, and a VDC screen showing traction control operation. Subaru will offer a WRX STI Launch Edition, limited to 1,000 units and exclusively featuring WR Blue paint and gold BBS® forged alloy wheels and unique interior trim.

Monday, January 13, 2014

2015 Audi Q3 Coming this Fall


The new 2015 Audi Q3, coming this Fall in a front wheel drive or optional Audi quattro® permanent all-wheel drive, is powered by a 200 horsepower 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine as standard and mated to a six-speed Tiptronic® transmission.

Nissan Sport Sedan Concept Makes Debut


Nissan Sport Sedan Concept is a front-wheel drive Sport Sedan Concept powered by a 300-plus horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine backed by a sport-tuned Xtronic CVT® and features a suspension layout with performance dampers.

2015 Honda Fit Is All-New With More Horsepower This Spring


The all-new 2015 Honda Fit, completely redesigned from the ground up, is slightly shorter (-1.6 in.) and wider (+0.3 in.) with a longer wheelbase (+1.2 in.) with an increase in passenger volume (+4.9 cu ft) and rear legroom (+4.8 in.) compared to the previous model. The 2015 Fit is equipped with an all-new 130 horsepower direct-injected 1.5-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine, 13 horsepower more than the outgoing engine, and paired to two new transmissions, a 6-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission with available paddle shifters. The EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are 33 city/41 highway/36 combined for the CVT-equipped models. The 2015 Fit will be in production next month and go on sale in the U.S. this Spring.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 With 625 Horsepower Coming Next Year


The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with at least 625 horsepower from an all-new LT4 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine, and an all-new, high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for manual control. The new Corvette Z06 will be available in early 2015. 

2015 Hyundai Genesis Is All-New With AWD Model Coming This Spring


The all-new 2015 Hyundai Genesis has a redesigned advanced high-strength steel platform making it stiffer to accommodate its new available HTRAC® AWD system, using no shared components with its previous generation. The 2015 Hyundai Genesis is offered with a choice of rear-wheel-drive or new HTRAC® All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) configurations.


The Genesis 3.8-liter direct-injected Lambda engine has also been further optimized to deliver a flatter overall torque curve at low rpm for enhanced driveability producing 311 horsepower and 293 lb.-ft. of torque. The Genesis 5.0 has the 420 horsepower Tau 5.0-liter V8 engine and is also mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new Genesis will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan, Korea plant, with U.S. sales beginning in the Spring.

Porsche 911 Targa 4 and 4S Arrive This Summer At $102K Plus


The Porsche 911 Targa 4, powered by a horizontally opposed 350 horsepower 3.4-liter 6-cylinder engine, will have an MSRP of $102,595. Equipped with the optional Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono package, the 911 Targa 4 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and is capable of a top track speed of 174 mph (175 mph with the manual transmission).


The Porsche 911 Targa 4S has a 400 horsepower 3.8-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine with a price tag of will have an MSRP of $117,195, and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds when equipped with optional PDK and Sport Chrono package. The 911 Targa 4S is capable of reaching a top track speed of 183 mph when equipped with a manual transmission and 182 mph with PDK.

Both 911 Targa models will come in AWD when they arrive this summer.

Chevrolet Sweeps 2014 Car and Truck Of The Year Honors


The all-new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray,  the most powerful standard model ever, with 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque from a 6.2L V-8 engine, is the 2014 North American Car of the Year receiving 211 points topping the Mazda3 with 185 points and the Cadillac CTS with 94 points.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck, available with a 355 horsepower 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 switching to four cylinders for an EPA estimated highway fuel economy of up to 23 mpg, is the 2014 North American Truck of the Year, receiving 219 points to the Jeep Cherokee with 174 points and the Acura MDX with 97 points. It's the first time Chevrolet has won both awards in the same year. 

Kia GT4 Stinger Concept

2015 GMC Canyon Pickup Truck Coming This Fall


The 2015 GMC Canyon pickup truck, offered in base, SLE and SLT models, in 2WD and 4WD models, and with an All-Terrain package offered on SLE models, comes with a standard estimated 193 horsepower 2.5L I-4 engine or an available estimated 302 horsepower from 3.6L V-6 engine offering a payload of at least 1,450 pounds and a trailering rating (when properly equipped) of at least 6,700 pounds. A Duramax 2.8L turbodiesel engine is coming in the 2016 model year. GMC will continue to work on and develop the Canyon until the start of production this Fall.

2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan Starts At $22,695 In Second Quarter


The all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 Sedan offers a 295 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine or the standard 184 horsepower 2.4-liter MultiAir®2 Tigershark I-4 engine mated to a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, which enables expected highway fuel economy ratings of 35 miles per gallon. The 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan is all new from the ground up and has a starting MSRP of $22,695 (including $995 destination). The 2015 Chrysler 200 is available in four different models in the United States and will arrive in volume in dealer showrooms in the second quarter of this year. Customers can choose from the 2015 Chrysler 200 LX model, Chrysler Limited model, Chrysler 200S model and the premium Chrysler 200C.

Toyota FT-1 Concept - Video Game To Reality


Toyota FT-1 Concept, first devised by Calty Design Research in the Sony PlayStation Gran Turismo game, is now life size on display in Detroit.

2015 Ford F-150 Pickup Coming Later This Year


The all-new 2015 Ford F-150, part of the Ford F-Series truck lineup, America’s best-selling truck for 37 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 32 years, will come in five primary trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch. Chrome appearance packages are available with XL, XLT, Lariat and King Ranch. Monochromatic sport appearance packages are available with XL, XLT and Lariat. The 2015 Ford F-150 offers four engines: a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop and a 3.5-liter V6 engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing join the the 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8.


The 2015 Ford F-150 has a new 8-inch LCD productivity screen in the instrument panel, SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, hill start assist, MyKey®, rear view camera, reverse sensing, trailer brake controller and extendable tailgate step. The F-150 also features second-row inflatable safety belts with a tubular airbag that inflates in the event of a crash, curve control automatically provides four-wheel braking when the truck is going into a corner too fast, adaptive cruise control uses radar technology to monitor traffic ahead, lane-keeping system helps avert unintentional drifting, blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, which uses radar hidden in the taillamps to detect a vehicle entering a driver’s blind spot while driving or backing up.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

2015 Audi A8 Arrives This Summer With Refreshed Look


The 2015 Audi A8 sedan still offers the 333 horsepower 3.0 TFSI as the entry level engine and the 500 horsepower 6.3-liter FSI® W12 engine as the high end powerplant while the 4.0T V8 engine now produces 435 horsepower up from 420. The outside look shows off a new LED headlamp, grille, bumper, and splitter and hood design and inside there's an available 22-way front and rear comfort seats with 5 different massage functions.


Technology includes active lane assist, secondary collision assist that automatically applies the brakes following a collision to help avoid possible secondary collisions and there's night vision assistant that has pedestrian detection and now animal detection is able to highlight larger animals. There's head-up display projecting information onto windshield. Audi park assist helps steer the car into a parking space Audi Side assist and Audi pre sense® plus. The Audi MMI® navigation plus system that includes Google Earth mapping, Google Voice local search functionality and a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices.

The S8 has a 520 horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged, direct-injected V8 engine. The new 2015 Audi A8 and S8 will arrive in the U.S. this summer.