Friday, September 30, 2016

Garia Luxury Electric Golf Carts Use Lithium Batteries


Garia, the high-end Danish golf car manufacturer, has released a new Golf model (above left) that weighs 880 lbs. including batteries. Garia’s lithium batteries offer benefits of having no maintenance, reduced weight resulting in less turf compaction, overall lower cost of ownership, a 5-year battery warranty, and a battery life of 10 years, double conventional electric cart lead-acid batteries.

The $50,000 Mercedes Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car (above right) which debuted at The Open in Scotland in mid-June, was recently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Garia is a privately held company, founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Denmark, with a subsidiary in the U.S. and Sales offices in UK and Asia Pacific. Garia golf cart prices start at $15,000.

Energica Eva High Performance Electric Motorcycle For $34,000


Energica Eva has a 95 horsepower permanent magnet AC oil cooled motor without a clutch or transmission providing seamless acceleration similar to a Tesla car. Energica Eva has a range up to 124 miles (ECO mode) and can reach a top speed of 124 mph in Sport mode. Each component assembled on the $34,000 Eva is made by double layer carbon fiber, three layers for specific reinforced parts, autoclaved. It comes in electric green or dark blue. The streetfighter is fully compatible with commercial recharging stations or can be charged at home. Energica Eva is the only electric streetfighter in the world with an integrated fast charge system on board.

On sale since early July at Galleria Energica at 53 Page Street in San Francisco, orders can be made online at: http://www.energicamotor.com/en/configuratore/EA

Energica, a subsidiary of 46-year old high-performance auto supplier CRP Group, is the first Italian manufacturer of supersport electric motorcycles and are manufactured in Modena, Italy.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Mercedes-Benz "Generation EQ" Concept


Mercedes-Benz "Generation EQ" concept vehicle, with four individual seats, is powered by 402 horsepower in two electric motors on the front and rear axles and a battery in the vehicle floor, with a range of up to 310 miles. "Generation EQ" accelerates to 62 mph in under five seconds.

Volkswagen I.D. Concept Car Arrives In 2020


The Volkswagen I.D. concept car, the first Volkswagen built off the Modular Electric Drive kit, uses a 168-horsepower electric motor and has a range of between 249 and 373 miles on a single battery charge with zero to 62 mph acceleration in less than 8 seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. The rapid charging system brings the battery to 80 percent charged after just 30 minutes. I.D. is the first Volkswagen that is capable of fully automated driving. It is due to go on sale in 2020, fueling Volkswagen's goal of selling a million electric cars a year by 2025.

BMW Concept X2


BMW Concept X2 makes its world premiere.

Honda Civic Type R Prototype Coming Next Year


The new Honda Civic Type R Prototype, with styling insight into the next-generation Civic Type R, will make its North American debut at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 1-4, 2016, marking the arrival of the first-ever Honda-badged Type R in the U.S. It will be officially unveiled in 2017.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO On Sale Now For $176,585


The new 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO is powered by a 600-horsepower twin turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine with independent rear transaxle all-wheel drive system controlled by a paddle-shifted sequential 6-speed dual clutch transmission, which can be driver selected to shift at race car-like speeds. The new 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO, with 35 more horsepower than 2017 GT-R Premium models, is priced at $176,585 (including destination and handling of $1,595) and is on sale now after the new 2017 GT-R Premium model went on sale earlier this summer for $111,585.

2017 Jeep Compass Makes Worldwide Debut


The all-new 2017 Jeep Compass compact SUV made its world debut in Brazil and will be produced with 17 powertrain options for consumers in more than 100 countries around the world. The all-new Jeep Compass will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and be available in North America in the first quarter of 2017.

Land Rover Discovery Starts At $50,985 Mid-2017


The all-new full-size Land Rover Discovery three-row, seven-seat SUV, cutting more than 1,000 pounds from the weight of the outgoing LR4, offers a 340 horsepower supercharged 3.0L gas V-6 engine mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission or a 254 horsepower turbocharged diesel V-6. The new Discovery features a flexible seating that’s instantly configurable from Apple and Android smartphones using remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology. In the US, the all-new Discovery has a maximum towing capacity of 8,201 pounds and will go on sale from mid-2017, priced from $50,985 (including the $995 destination/handling charge).

Friday, September 23, 2016

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Coming First Quarter 2017


The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, five-passenger, four-door SUV, approximately 400 pounds lighter than the current model, is offered with a 170 horsepower 1.5L turbo engine mated to a six-speed automatic, a 252 horsepower 2.0L turbo engine matched with GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission, or a 136 horsepower 1.6L turbo-diesel engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 Equinox goes on sale in the first quarter of 2017 in North America.

2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Starts At $20,535 On Monday


The 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback, available in five trims, is equipped with a 174 horsepower 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected and turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine in LX, EX and EX-L Navi trims, and 180 horsepower in the Sport and Sport Touring trims and mated to either a sporty CVT (all trims) or a 6-speed manual transmission. The LX with 6-speed manual transmission that achieves 30 city/39 highway/33 combined MPG has a starting price of $20,535 (including $835 destination charge). The 2017 Civic Hatchback joins the 2016 Civic Sedan and Coupe as the third body style in the 10th-generation Civic lineup, arriving in showrooms starting next Monday.

2017 Mercedes-Benz B250e Starts At $39,900


The 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250e, has a 177 horsepower electric motor, and, depending on driving cycle, has a range of 87 miles (EPA) with a charging time at 240V in the United States of less than 2 hours and can be charged from any standard domestic power socket. For a starting price of $39,900, the B250e drives from zero to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 100 mph. By pressing a button on the console prior to charging, the maximum charge level of the battery will be  increased for the next charge cycle. The higher-capacity charge can provide up to approximately 17 additional miles of range.

2017 Hyundai Elantra GT


The 2017 Hyundai Elantra GT, powered by a standard 173 horsepower 2.0-liter gasoline direct injection engine mated to either a 6-speed manual, or 6-speed automatic, transmission, starts at $19,635 (including $835 freight charge) and delivers EPA rated fuel economy of 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 combined mpg.

smart electric drive Coming In Spring 2017



The new smart electric drive (ED) has an 80 horsepower electric motor that works at the rear of the vehicle and transmits its power via a constant ratio to the wheels. A fully charged battery has sufficient power to cover approximately 99 miles with the maximum speed electronically limited to 81 mph to maximize the range. The U.S. range and overall electric motor specifications to be announced at launch. The high-performance on-board charger cuts charge time giving the U.S. preliminary new generation charge time of 2.5 hours vs. the previous generation charge time of 5.5 hours). The new smart fortwo electric drive will be launched in the U.S. in spring 2017 and the smart fortwo cabrio electric drive in summer 2017. The smart forfour will not be available in the U.S.

2017 Subaru Crosstrek Starts At $22,550 In November


The 2017 Subaru 2.0i Crosstrek with a 148 horsepower 2.0-liter Subaru BOXER engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive starts at $22,550 (including $875 destination & delivery charge). The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has a 6-speed manual mode with steering wheel paddle shifters and is optional on the 2.0i Premium that starts at $23,370 with additional features like the All-Weather Package (heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors and windshield wiper de-icer). Lineartronic CVT is standard on Limited which starts at $26,090. For 2017, a new Premium Special Edition adds additional equipment and is priced at $26,690. The 2017 Crosstrek models will arrive at retailers November 2016.

2017 Audi A4 Offers Six-Speed Manual Transmission For $40,350


The 2017 Audi A4 powered by a 252 horsepower 2.0 TFSI® engine now has an optional six-speed manual transmission that accelerates the car from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, a 0.7 second improvement over the previous generation. The quattro® with ultra® technology, and the Sport plus package offers S model performance in the entry level variant with S line interior, dynamic steering, sport adaptive suspension, and 18” wheels. The A4 quattro manual starts at $40,350 (including $950 destination charge). The 2017 A4 is also available with a seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch automatic transmission with front-wheel drive or available quattro® all-wheel drive.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Chevrolet Bolt EV Later This Year For $37,495 Before Rebates


The Chevrolet Bolt EV capable of going an EPA-rated 238 miles on a full charge, has a base price of $37,495 (including destination charge) for the well-equipped LT trim. Depending on individual tax situations, customers may receive an available federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for a net value of $29,995. The Bolt EV will be available at select dealerships in late 2016.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Audi R8 In 68th Annual Emmy Awards TV Commercial


Audi of America returns for the sixth consecutive year as the official automotive sponsor and vehicle provider for the Television Academy for the 68th Annual Emmy® Awards. The 2017 Audi R8, with either a 540 horsepower V10 engine or a 610 horsepower V10 plus engine, stars in a new commercial called “Desolation”. The 2017 Audi R8 features Audi Virtual Cockpit, which replaces the classic instrument panel, Audi connect® with 4G LTE connectivity and available Google Earth™ satellite maps. The spot will also air multiple times during the Emmy Awards telecast on Sunday, Sept. 18. “Desolation” was created by Venables Bell & Partners.

Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept


The Mitsubishi GT-PHEV Concept next-generation SUV is powered by three motors with an electric-only range of 75 miles and a combined hybrid cruising range of over 745 miles. The triple-motor powertrain, with one unit at the front and two at the rear, delivers full-time four-wheel drive.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Roadsters Arrive In The Fall Of 2017


The AMG GT Roadster with 469 horsepower and the AMG GT C Roadster with 550 horsepower produced from 4.0-liter V-8 engines with twin turbochargers mated to AMG SPEEDSHIFT® DCT 7-speed dual-clutch transmissions have a fabric roof that opens and closes in around eleven seconds, up to 31 mph. The AMG GT Roadster accelerates to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 188 mph and the AMG GT C from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds to a top speed of 196 mph. The AMG GT Roadster has "C" (Comfort), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport Plus) and the individually programmable setup "I" (Individual) modes while AMG GT C adds a "RACE" setting. The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster will arrive in US dealers by Fall of 2017.
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