Wednesday, September 30, 2015

BMW X4 M40i With New 355 HP Inline Six Engine


The new BMW X4 M40i has a newly developed M Performance 355 horsepower TwinPower Turbo inline 6 cylinder gasoline engine mated to an 8-speed STEPTRONIC sports transmission that takes the X4 from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, The BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system has been recalibrated with more power routed to the rear wheels during normal operation.

Dynamic Damper Control, Variable Sport Steering, Performance Control, Park Distance Control front and rear, Xenon adaptive headlights and LED fog lights are all standard, as well as Sport seats, M leather steering wheel and 19-inch M light-alloy wheels. With an array of BMW ConnectedDrive options include a full-color head-up display, Active Driving Assistant + ACC Stop & Go including Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Pedestrian Warning and City Collision Mitigation.

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer Starts At $17,595


The 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer featuring a new design, new seat fabrics, a newly designed center console with built-in USB port, and two new colors with a starting MSRP of $17,595. Standard ES trim features include FUSE Hands-free Link System®, automatic air condition climate control, fog lights, alloy wheels and new LED daytime running lights. The SE trim level features all-wheel control, heated front seats, rearview camera and display audio with HD radio, while the new SEL trim level adds leather seats, rain sensing wipers with auto on/off headlights, auto-dimming mirror and more. The GT trim level (pictured above) has sport-tuned suspension, larger disc brakes, 18 inch two-tone alloy wheels, sunroof and rear spoiler, and is available as a 5-speed manual or with the new generation CVT8. Sportronic Steering wheel paddle shifters are available for the GT trim.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Winfried Vahland To Head Volkswagen North America



Prof. Dr. Winfried Vahland will take over responsibility for Volkswagen Group's newly formed North American Region combining the USA, Mexico and Canada, effective November 1st. Most recently, since 2010, he has been ŠKODA CEO. Vahland graduated from the Technical University Darmstadt with a major in Mechanical Engineering and Economics, and began his professional career with GM in 1984. He joined Audi AG in 1990 and Volkswagen AG in 1993. From 1997, he was Vice President for Volkswagen in Brazil. He was appointed Member of ŠKODA AUTO’s Board of Management in 2002, and became Vice Chairman one year later. In 2005, he assumed the position of President and CEO of Volkswagen Group in China.

Monday, September 28, 2015

2016 MINI Clubman Starts At $24,950 In January


The all-new 2016 MINI Clubman has an MSRP of $24,950 ($850 Destination & Handling fee) for the Cooper model and $28,500 for the Cooper S. The Clubman will go on sale in January 2016.

VW Says 5 Million Vehicles Affected By Diesel Emission Defeat Software

Approximately five million Volkswagen vehicles are affected worldwide, according to a VW internal evaluation. Sixth generation Volkswagen Golf, seventh generation Volkswagen Passat and first generation Volkswagen Tiguan are equipped exclusively with type EA 189 diesel engines. All new Volkswagen passenger car brand vehicles that fulfill the EU6 norm valid throughout Europe are not affected including the current Golf, Passat and Touran models.

Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand says "We are working at full speed on a technical solution that we will present to partners, to our customers and to the public as swiftly as possible. Our aim is to inform our customers as quickly as possible, so that their vehicles comply fully with regulations. I assure you that Volkswagen will do everything humanly possible to win back the trust of our customers, the dealerships and the public."

The statement goes on to say that Volkswagen will inform all markets worldwide how many of vehicles are affected locally. "We are working intensively on remedial measures in close coordination with the certification authorities. The vehicles are and remain technically safe and roadworthy."

Berthold Huber, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said: "The test manipulations are a moral and political disaster for Volkswagen. The unlawful behavior of engineers and technicians involved in engine development shocked Volkswagen just as much as it shocked the public. We can only apologize and ask our customers, the public, the authorities and our investors to give us a chance to make amends." The Supervisory Board commissioned an American law firm to assist in further clarification and in preparing the necessary steps.

Friday, September 25, 2015

Matthias Müller Appointed CEO of Volkswagen AG


Matthias Müller, 62, a Board member of Volkswagen AG and Chairman of Porsche AG in Stuttgart, has been appointed CEO of Volkswagen AG effective immediately succeeding Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn who offered his resignation on Wednesday.

Müller followed high school in Ingolstadt with an apprenticeship with AUDI AG and after obtaining his master's degree in computer science resumed his career with AUDI AG in 1978 and has a variety of positions with Volkswagen including Head of Product Management of the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen brand. Müller said "My most urgent task is to win back trust for the Volkswagen Group – by leaving no stone unturned and with maximum transparency, as well as drawing the right conclusions from the current situation."

Thursday, September 24, 2015

2016 Hyundai Sonata Starts At $22,585 Now


The 2016 Hyundai Sonata, arriving in dealerships now, gets minor styling updates and improved fuel economy on models equipped with the 2.4L engine. The 2016 Sonata adds Automatic Emergency Braking on models previously equipped with Forward Collision Warning, a 7-inch color touchscreen Display Audio with Android Auto applied on SE, Sport, Limited, Eco and Sport 2.0T, aluminum suspension components, and a conventional sunroof available on Sport (optional) and Limited (standard).

A 185 horsepower 2.4-liter Theta II GDI engine powers the SE, Limited and Sport models and a 245 horsepower 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI goes in the Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T trims. Both are paired with a six-speed SHIFTRONIC ® automatic transmission. The Eco model has a 177 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged Gamma four-cylinder engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Eco models receive a 28 mpg EPA fuel economy rating in the city and 38 mpg on the highway for 32 mpg combined. The 2016 Sonata starts at $22,585 (including $835 freight charge).

2017 Buick LaCrosse To Debut At L.A. Auto Show In November


The all-new 2017 Buick LaCrosse, based on the Avenir concept design cues and inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept will influence all Buick models by 2018. The design was introduced on the Avenir concept and was inspired by the 1954 Wildcat II concept. The next-generation LaCrosse’s design is framed on an all-new chassis that is stronger yet lighter than the current model with a new a five-link rear suspension. The 2017 LaCrosse debuts in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

2016 Volkswagen Passat Starts At $22,440 Later This Year


The new 2016 Volkswagen Passat midsize sedan, unveiled in the midst of Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal, is powered by 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® four cylinder engine, with an EPA estimated highway fuel economy rating of 38 mpg with the automatic transmission, a 2.0-liter TDI® diesel or a 280 horsepower 3.6-liter VR6® engine. The 2016 Passat gets a new hood, front fenders, grille, front and rear bumpers, trunklid and available LED headlights and taillights. Full pricing for the new 2016 Passat will be available closer to launch later this year, but the 1.8T S model starts at $22,440, which is the same price as the previous base model when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Professor Dr. Winterkorn Resigns As VW Group CEO Over Diesel Defeat Devices

Professor Dr. Winterkorn has resigned as Volkswagen CEO after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Volkswagen for “using a defeat device in cars to evade clean air standards" which "is illegal and a threat to public health”. Exposure to these nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollutants has been linked to a range of serious respiratory illnesses that can cause hospitalization or even premature death. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory disease are at higher health risk from these pollutants.

In a statement Winterkorn said, "I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group. I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrong doing on my part."

The NOV alleges that four-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars from model years 2009-2015 included a sophisticated software algorithm that detects when the car is undergoing official emissions testing, and turns full emissions controls on only during the test. This results in cars that meet emissions standards in the laboratory or testing station, but during normal operation when they emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) that contribute to nitrogen dioxide, ground-level ozone, and fine particulate matter, at up to 40 times the standard.

The software produced by Volkswagen is a “defeat device,” as defined by the Clean Air Act. The software circumvents EPA emissions standards for certain air pollutants. California is separately issuing an In-Use Compliance letter to Volkswagen. The EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have both initiated investigations based on Volkswagen’s alleged actions.

The allegations cover roughly 482,000 diesel passenger cars sold in the United States since 2008: Jetta (Model Years 2009 – 2015), Beetle (Model Years 2009 – 2015), Audi A3 (Model Years 2009 – 2015), Golf (Model Years 2009 – 2015) and Passat (Model Years 2014-2015).

The Clean Air Act requires vehicle manufacturers to certify to EPA that their products will meet applicable federal emission standards to control air pollution, and every vehicle sold in the U.S. must be covered by an EPA-issued certificate of conformity. Motor vehicles equipped with defeat devices, which reduce the effectiveness of the emission control system during normal driving conditions, cannot be certified. By making and selling vehicles with defeat devices that allowed for higher levels of air emissions than were certified to EPA, Volkswagen violated two important provisions of the Clean Air Act.

EPA and CARB uncovered the defeat device software after independent analysis by researchers at West Virginia University, working with the International Council on Clean Transportation, a non-governmental organization, raised questions about emissions levels, and the agencies began further investigations into the issue. In September, after EPA and CARB demanded an explanation for the identified emission problems, Volkswagen admitted that the cars contained defeat devices.

VW may be liable for large civil penalties and injunctive relief for the violations alleged in the NOV which could cost VW billions of dollars not only in fines but owners' class action lawsuits and lost business due to distrust.

Before announcing his resignation, Winterkorn pledged to "do everything necessary in order to reverse the damage this has caused."

Saturday, September 19, 2015

2016 Infiniti QX50 Starts At $35,445 This Month


The 2016 Infiniti QX50 luxury crossover, redesigned on a 3.2 inch longer wheelbase stretching its overall length by 4.5 inches, is equipped with a standard 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and starts at $35,445 (including $995 destination and handling) for the rear-wheel drive and $36,845 for the all-wheel drive when it goes on sale in this month at Infiniti retailers nationwide. Optional equipment packages have been revised for 2016, with a new Premium Plus Package added to the previously available Premium, Deluxe Touring and Technology packages.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Ferrari 488 Spider


The Ferrari 488 Spider mid-rear-engine sports car is powered by a 660 horsepower turbo V8 engine. The turbos are on ball-bearing-mounted shafts, while the compressor wheels are in TiAl, a low-density titanium-aluminium alloy. Additionally, the twin-scroll turbines are designed and built to maximize power. The Retractable Hard Top unfolds and retracts in 14 seconds and can be raised or lowered when the car is moving. The Ferrari 488 Spider also has a glass electric rear window that can be adjusted regardless of whether the RHT is deployed or retracted. The 488 Spider has a spaceframe chassis made of 11 different aluminium alloys combined with other metals such as magnesium providing the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness figures as the Coupé to improve chassis’ performance by 23% over its predecessor.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Starts at $22,500


The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, in L, LS, LT, Hybrid and Premier. Standard trims, starts at $22,500 (includes $875 destination charges) for the L model with 10 airbags, cruise control, push-button start with passive entry and fuel-saving stop/start technology on the base 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. The LS model, starting at $23,995, includes standard Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 7-inch diagonal color touch screen. The LT model starts at $25,895 and is projected to offer a General Motors-estimated 27 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, when equipped with the Ecotec 1.5L turbo engine with stop/start. A 2.0L turbo with an 8-speed transmission is available in the LT and Premier models as well, starting at $29,495 and $31,795 respectively. Malibu 2.0T models offer a GM-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. I just rented the current Malibu model as was very impressed with fuel economy and dash layout which included smartphone storage slots in the middle console for driver and passenger.

Porsche Mission E Concept


Porsche Mission E Concept, the first all-electrically powered four-seat sports car in the brand's history, has an 800-volt drive system (double current electric cars), over 600 horsepower and over 310 mile driving range. Porsche Mission E has all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering, zero to 62 mph acceleration in under 3.5 seconds and a charging time of around 15 minutes to reach an 80 per cent charge of electrical energy. Instruments are intuitively operated by eye-tracking and gesture control, some even via holograms.

BMW M6 Competition Edition - Only 100 For U.S.


The BMW M6 Competition Edition, limited to 120 worldwide and 100 in the U.S., comes in Coupe, Grand Coupe and Convertible powered by a 600 horsepower 4.4 liter V8 BMW M TwinPower Turbo in Alpine White (above) or Austin Yellow metallic colors. The BMW M6 Competition Edition is available at selected retailers for $164,900 plus Destination and Handling.

2016 Civic Sedan Coming This Fall With Turbo Engine Choice


The all-new 10th-generation 2016 Civic Sedan, on a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase, nearly 2 inches wider and 1 inch lower, gets a 2.0-liter, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine mated to either a 6-speed manual (LX trim) or continuously variable automatic transmission for the LX and EX trims.  A new 1.5-liter, direct-injected and turbocharged 16-valve DOHC inline-4 engine mated to a unique CVT will be in EX-T, EX-L trims and Touring trims. Both engines are targeted to receive EPA highway fuel economy ratings in excess of 40 mpg. Torsional rigidity of the new body is improved by 25 percent, aided in part by more intensive use of ultra-high-strength steel. New standard equipment includes automatic climate control with dual-zone on EX-L and higher trims, auto-up/down front power windows, an electronic parking brake with Brake Hold, Walk-Away auto door locks and an adjustable driver's seat thigh support with 14 degrees of tilt (EX-L and above). All Civic Sedan models also feature a larger, reconfigurable new center console with up to 7.2 liters of secure storage space, approaching SUV levels of console utility.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Ford Focus RS Starts at $36,605 In Spring 2016


The all-new Ford Focus RS with a new 350 horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine distributing torque through the all-wheel-drive system will sprint from 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 165 mph. Focus RS drivers can select from four different drive modes that configure the all-wheel-drive system, damper controls, electronic stability control, steering and engine responses, and exhaust sound to deliver optimum performance in road or circuit driving conditions. Normal, sport or track settings are available, along with a special drift mode to help the driver achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the track. For North America, Focus RS pricing will start at $36,605 in Spring 2016.

Infiniti Q30 Goes On Sale Later This Year


Infiniti Q30 active compact offers a 208 horsepower 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in the U.S. for the Premium and Sport models. Infiniti's InTouch infotainment system, first introduced on the Q50, has been evolved and upgraded for the Q30, with a tablet-like experience from the driver's seat via a delivering touch-screen HMI (human machine interface). The Infiniti Q30 goes on sale in selected markets later in 2015.

Spectre Spectacle - Land Rover Defender, Jaguar C-X75, Range Rover Sport SVR


The 24th James Bond film adventure, SPECTRE, opening at theaters in November, features the Land Rover Defender, Jaguar C-X75 and Range Rover Sport SVR. With the vehicles pictured above are actors Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and David Bautista (Hinx).

2017 Audi S4 With 354 Horsepower Coming Next Year


The new 2017 Audi S4 with a newly developed 354 horsepower 3.0 TFSI V6 engine mated to a new eight-speed tiptronic transmission accelerates 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The fully digital instrument cluster displays all key information on a high-resolution 12.3 inch screen using detailed graphics. The driver can choose between three views,  one of them is an exclusive Sport screen, which moves the rev counter into the center. The S4 model has the MMI operating system similar to the latest smartphones, including the intelligent free text search function. MMI offers the driver three operating methods: voice control, the new multifunction steering wheel, or the terminal on the center console. On the top infotainment system, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and 8.3 inch monitor, the rotary pushbutton features an integrated touch pad for zooming and scrolling, and for entering characters. The all-new A4 and S4 are expected to go on sale in the U.S. market in 2016.