Monday, April 20, 2015

2016 Lexus ES Debuts In Shanghai


The 2016 Lexus ES luxury sedan in the U.S. will continue with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and a gasoline-electric hybrid powerplant while engineers have made structural reinforcements for stiffness in the vehicle’s unibody construction and a sound-reducing layer behind the dashboard to better isolate engine noise from the cabin. The ES offers Lexus Safety System which includes a Pre-Collision System to detect vehicles and pedestrians, Brake Assist to activate emergency braking, Lane Departure Alert and Radar Cruise Control that uses millimeter-wave radar to detect the speed of the vehicle ahead in order to adjust the cruise control speed setting accordingly.

Nissan Lannia Designed For Young Drivers In China


Nissan Lannia, introduced at Auto Shanghai 2015, was designed by Nissan Design China for young Chinese drivers.

Volkswagen C Coupé GTE Plug-In Hybrid


Volkswagen C Coupé GTE plug-in hybrid sport sedan is 199.7 inches long, 76.0 inches wide and 56.9 inches high powered by a 212 horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI gasoline engine combined with a 126 horsepower electric motor, and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission for a total system output of 248 horsepower. The concept car can travel up to 31 miles in zero emissions E-mode, at up to 81 mph. It has NEDC combined fuel consumption of 102 mpg, a total range of more than 684 miles with 0 to 62 mph acceleration of 8.6 seconds reaching a top speed of 144 mph.

Ford Taurus Debuts in Shanghai for China Market


The new Ford Taurus with a new twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, unveiled in Shanghai, is designed especially to meet the needs of the Chinese market with power reclining rear seats with a massage function, a panoramic sunroof, plenty of second-row legroom, and a rear-seat control panel for air conditioning, seat functions and car media.

Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé Is Near Production


Mercedes-Benz Concept GLC Coupé carries the GLE Coupé formula over into a more compact segment with an overall length of 186.2 inches on a 111.4 inch wheelbase and powered by a 367 horsepower biturbo V6 engine teamed with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz calls the above pictured GLC as a "near-production-standard show car".

Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Joins CT6 Line-Up


The Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid Electric joins the upcoming range-topping CT6 sedan line-up combining an all-new rear wheel electric variable transmission to a 335 horsepower two-motor system with a 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine with spark-ignited direct injection and variable valve technology. An 18.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located between the rear seat and the trunk and is comprised of 192 prismatic pouch cells, which use the latest generation cell chemistry found in other GM plug-in vehicles. Range estimates will be provided closer to U.S. launch of the Plug-In Hybrid Electric model.

Audi prologue allroad plug-in hybrid


The Audi prologue allroad plug-in hybrid joins the Audi prologue and Audi prologue Avant in the prologue line-up with a 4.0 TFSI V8 with twin turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed tiptronic to produce 734 horsepower driving the quattro all-wheel drive system. The show car accelerates from 0 to 62.1 mph in 3.5 seconds and gets 98 mpg.

Friday, April 10, 2015

2016 Nissan 370Z Coupe Starts At $30,815 Now


The 2016 Nissan 370Z Coupe equipped with a standard 332 horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission starts at $30,815 (including $825 destination and handling) and is on sale now. The top-of-the-line 370Z Coupe Touring with a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters starts at $40,095. The 2016 Nissan 370Z Coupe is offered in four well-equipped trim levels 370Z, Sport, Sport Tech and Touring, with no available option packages.


The 2016 Nissan 370Z Roadster with a 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control matched with an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching and standard paddle shifters starts at $42,645 (including $825 destination and handling).


The 2016 Nissan 370Z NISMO with 350-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control mated to a 6-speed manual transmission starts at $42,815 (including $825 destination and handling).

2016 Honda Pilot Goes On Sale This Summer


The all-new, third generation 2016 Honda Pilot has a 280 horsepower direct injected 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC® Earth Dreams™ Technology engine, 30 more than its predecessor, matched to a choice of a 6-speed automatic transmission or, on upper trims, a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2016 Pilot is available in a new top-of-the-line Elite trim together with LX, EX, EX with Honda Sensing™, EX-L, EX-L with Honda Sensing™ and Touring trims. The available Honda Sensing™ suite of safety and driver assistive technologies includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ with Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keeping Assist System with Lane Departure Warning and Adaptive Cruise Control. The 2016 Pilot has an all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management system featuring Normal, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes on the AWD model and Normal and Snow on the 2WD model. The 2016 Pilot will go on sale this summer.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Honda Civic Concept Previews New Fall Line-Up


The Honda Civic Concept is a preview to the 10th-generation Civic lineup launching in the U.S. this Fall featuring a longer wheelbase and lower, wider stance, with new Earth Dreams Technology™ powertrains, including a new 1.5-liter VTEC® Turbo engine with direct injection, a short-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, and a new, more sporty and efficient continuously variable transmission. The new Civic lineup will include Civic Sedan, Coupe and Si models along with the return of the Civic hatchback, followed by the launch of a new Civic Type-R as the performance flagship of the Civic lineup. The new Civic will offer the Honda Sensing™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, including Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control and Honda LaneWatch™, along with Honda's next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ body structure.

2016 Chevrolet Spark Goes On Sale In The 4th Quarter


The all-new 2016 Chevrolet Spark, with a slightly longer wheelbase and an overall height about 1.6 inches lower than the current model, is completely redesigned with new, available safety and connectivity features and an all-new 98 horsepower Ecotec 1.4L I-4 engine with manual and continuously variable transmissions delivering a GM-estimated 40 mpg on the highway with the available CVT. The 2016 Chevrolet Spark will be produced from globally sourced parts at GM’s Changwon, South Korea assembly facility and goes on sale in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2015.

2016 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Coming This Fall


The 2016 Toyota RAV4 hybrid, offered in XLE and Limited trim levels, is Toyota's eighth hybrid offering as part of the refreshed 2016 RAV4 launching this Fall. All 2016 RAV4 models will feature refreshed exterior styling with a new front fascia with an available LED lights, a new lower rocker panel to the rear bumper and lift gate with available LED taillights.  Additional new exterior features include front and rear silver skid plate garnishes on most models and a standard shark fin antenna.

2016 Nissan Maxima On Sale Early Summer Starting At $33,235


The all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima gets a redesigned 300 horsepower 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine mated to a new performance-oriented Xtronic transmission anticipated to achieve a 15 percent increase in highway fuel economy to an EPA estimated 30 miles per gallon. The all-new Maxima, now offered in five grade levels including new SL, SR and Platinum grades, goes on sale in early summer 2015 with a $33,235 starting MSRP (including $825 destination and handling charge). Included as standard is NissanConnect with navigation, 8.0-inch touch-screen display, Remote Engine Start and RearView Monitor.

2016 Infiniti QX50 Goes On Sale In The Fall


The 2016 Infiniti QX50 equipped with a standard 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and a 7-speed automatic transmission will have a new look when it goes on sale in North America in Fall 2015. The QX50 wheelbase has been extended by 3.2 inches, with most of the gain, 4.3 inches of additional legroom for rear seat passengers. Overall, interior volume has been increased by 8.3 cubic feet, including an additional 2.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

2016 Hyundai Tucson Coming In July


The all-new 2016 Hyundai Tucson crossover utility vehicle has a one inch longer wheelbase is stiffer, lighter and wider with greater interior volume and five cubic feet more cargo room over the previous model. The base models offer 164 horsepower 2.0-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder engine coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC™ manual shifting mode and includes an overdrive lock-up torque converter for higher fuel economy at highway speeds. Based on internal tests, fuel economy for the 2.0L FWD model is estimated at 23 (city), 31 (highway), 26 (combined). Eco, Sport and Limited models offer a new 175 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder engine coupled to a new seven-speed EcoShift® dual-clutch transmission. Based on internal tests, estimated fuel economy for this powertrain on Eco FWD models is 26 (city), 33 (highway), 29 (combined), a 5-mpg improvement over the former Tucson 2.4L engine. Sport and Limited FWD turbo engine models are estimated at 25 (city), 30 (highway), 27 (combined), representing a 3-mpg improvement in combined fuel economy over the former Tucson 2.4L engine. In addition, the new Tucson’s fuel tank has been increased by 1.1 gallons for even greater driving range. The new Tucson will arrive at Hyundai dealers in July.

2016 Kia Optima Coming With 3 Engine Choices In The 4th Quarter


The all-new 2016 Kia Optima wheelbase has been extended 0.4 inches to 110.4 inches and widened by an inch to 73.2 inches with a new 178 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Carrying over are the 185 horsepower 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder, available on the LX and EX models, and the 247 horsepower 2.0-liter GDI turbo engine, available on the SXL and SX Turbo models, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic® shifting while the SX and SXL trims add paddle shifters. The all-new 2016 Kia Optima will come in LX, LX Turbo, EX, SX Turbo and SXL trim levels when sales begin in the fourth quarter of 2015. As with its predecessor, the all-new Optima will be built at Kia’s plant* in West Point, Georgia.  Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date.

Subaru STI Performance Concept Signals More High Performance Coming


The Subaru STI Performance Concept signifies a plan for U.S.-expansion of Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the performance division of Subaru, in its three core business areas: aftermarket parts, STI-tuned cars and motorsports.

2016 Scion iM Arrives This Fall


The all-new 2016 Scion iM has a 137 horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder DOHC Valvematic engine mated to a standard 6-speed stick shift transmission and comes with eight standard airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and a front passenger seat cushion airbag. The all-new 2016 Scion iM arrives in dealerships this Fall, starting under $20,000. The Scion iM Concept debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

2016 Scion iA Coming This Fall


The 2016 Scion iA sedan has a high-compression 106 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions delivering manufacturer-estimated fuel economy ratings of 33 city / 42 highway / 37 combined MPG. The Scion iA comes with a Low-speed Pre-collision system that uses a laser sensor to help the driver avoid collisions and to help minimize damage in the event of an accident. A rear view back-up camera is also standard. The new 2016 Scion iA will arrive in dealerships this Fall for an estimated MSRP in the $16,000-range.

Porsche Boxster Spyder Coming In October For $83,095


Porsche Boxster Spyder has a 375 horsepower 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that takes it  from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and to a top track speed of 180 mph. The new Boxster Spyder will be launched in the U.S. market in October and can now be ordered at dealerships. In the United States, the MSRP is $83,095 (including a $995 destination charge).