Thursday, November 17, 2016

All-New 2017 Mazda CX-5 Coming This Spring


The all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5, with a lower center of gravity and 10mm wider front and rear tread, offers a SKYACTIV-D 2.2 clean diesel engine, and a SKYACTIV-G 2.0 or SKYACTIV-G 2.5 direct-injection gasoline engines paired with either a six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic or six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission. Also available is Mazda’s predictive i-ACTIV AWD system. The new CX-5 has G-Vectoring Control which by adjusting engine torque in response to steering wheel action, delivers unified control over lateral and longitudinal acceleration (G) forces and optimizes the vertical load on each wheel. The new CX-5 with gas engines will hit showrooms in the Spring while the diesel will follow later in the year.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

2018 Ford EcoSport Arrives In Early 2018


The all-new 2018 Ford EcoSport, equipped with either a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost® engine or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with Ford’s Intelligent 4WD as standard, will be available in S, SE, SES and Titanium trims. Both engines are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions. The all-new Ford EcoSport starts arriving in dealerships in early 2018.

Monday, November 14, 2016

2018 Audi A5 and S5 Coupe


The all-new 2018 Audi A5 and S5 Coupe offers a 252 horsepower 2.0-liter TFSI® four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission on the A5 and a newly designed 354 horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI® V6 engine on the S5 with an eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission. Every Audi A5 is standard-equipped with quattro® all-wheel drive. New for 2018, available Audi virtual cockpit and MMI® touch and driver assistance systems including standard Audi pre sense® city and available adaptive cruise control with stop & go and traffic jam assist.

2017 Chevrolet Spark ACTIV Coming In The First Quarter


The 2017 Chevrolet Spark ACTIV, with an Ecotec 1.4L engine, is a sportier version of the Spark featuring trail-inspired accents and upscale features and goes on sale in the first quarter of 2017 for $16,945 with manual transmission and $18,045 with continuously variable transmission. Fuel economy is GM estimated at 29 city and 37 highway with the manual transmission and 30 city/37 highway with the CVT.

2017 Ram Power Wagon Goes On Sale Soon


The 2017 Ram Power Wagon, built on a Ram 2500 platform and powered by a 410 horsepower 6.4-liter HEMI® V-8 engine, is priced at $53,015(including $1,320 destination charge) and goes on sale late this year. A $4,495 Leather & Luxury option package is offered on the Ram Power Wagon.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

October 2016 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac) sold 258,626 vehicles, a 1.7 percent drop, in October while year-to-date sales of 2,471,023 is a 3.6 percent decline from 2015. Cadillac October sales of 13,948 is a 9.4 percent drop from last year while year-to-date sales of 133,234 is down 5.6 percent.

Ford total October sales were 188,813, down 11.7 percent versus a year ago. Lincoln sales made up 9,069 of that total, a 6.9 percent increase and year-to-date sales are 89,504, up 8.6 percent. Year-to-date total Ford sales are 2,177,269, a 0.4 percent decline from 2015.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported October 2016 sales of 186,295, a decrease of 8.7 percent from October 2015. Toyota Division posted October sales of 161,492, down 9.1 percent while Lexus posted October sales of 24,803, down 6.2 percent. Year-to-date TMS U.S.A. sales of 2,008,714 is a 2.3 drop from 2015.

FCA US (Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo) reported U.S. sales of 176,609, a 10 percent decrease compared with sales in October 2015. Year-to-date sales of 1,890,969 is up 2 percent over a year ago.

American Honda reported October sales of 126,161 Honda and Acura vehicles, a decrease of 4.2 percent versus October 2015. Honda division sales of 113,292 was down 2 percent while Acura sales of 12,869 was a 13.8 percent decline. Year-to-date American Honda sales of 1,354,541 is a 2.6 percent gain over last year.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for October 2016 of 113,520, a decrease of 2.2 percent from the prior year. Nissan Division finished October with 102,312 sales, a 2.5 percent drop, while Infiniti sales of 11,208 was up 0.6 percent. Year-to-date Nissan Group sales of 1,296,544 is a 4.7 percent over 2015.

Hyundai Motor America sales totaled 62,505 vehicles (including Genesis brand sales of 1,201), a 4.2 percent rise over last year. Year-to-date sales of 650,193, a 1.9 percent rise over 2015.

Kia Motors America sold 48,977 vehicles, a 2.1 percent drop from a year ago, while year-to-date sales of 540,741, a 2.8 percent increase over 2015.

Subaru of America reported 53,760 vehicle sales for October 2016, a 4.1 percent increase over October 2015 sales of 51,629 vehicles. Subaru also reported year-to-date sales of 500,647 vehicles, a 4.2 percent gain over the same period in 2015.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 24,779 in October, down 18.5 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 256,047 is down 13.1 percent. Separately, Audi of America October sales of 17,721 was a 0.1 percent increase over 2015 while year-to-date sales of 169,900 is up 2.9 percent over last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported October sales of 31,801 vehicles for the month, down 2.1 percent from last year. Mercedes-Benz brand sales were 28,659, a decrease of 1.0 percent from same month last year while Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 2,724, down 2.7 percent and smart sold 418 cars. On a year-to-date basis, MBUSA posted a grand total of 310,205 units in October, increasing 0.7% from the previous year. Mercedes-Benz brand 2016 sales of 277,863 is down 0.4 percent. Adding year-to-date-sales of 27,880 for Vans and 4,462 for smart, MBUSA posted a grand total of 310,205 units in October, an increase of 0.7% from the previous year.

BMW Group October sales (including MINI) were 27,971, down 16.6 percent and year-to-date are 297,015, a 9.6 percent drop. Sales of BMW brand vehicles were 24,017, a decrease of 18.4 percent in October. Year-to-date, the BMW brand sales of 254,150 vehicles is down 9.0 percent in the first ten months of 2015.

Mazda North American Operations reported October U.S. sales of 22,711 vehicles, a decrease of 10.8 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through October are 246,978 vehicles, a 7.6 percent decline.

Jaguar Land Rover reported October 2016 U.S. sales of 8,751, a 7 percent increase from October 2015. Jaguar sales were 3,219, a 226 percent and  Land Rover sales were 5,532, down 23 percent. Year-to-date, Jaguar Land Rover U.S. sales are 83,491, up 23 percent from 2015.

Volvo Car USA reported U.S. sales of 6,340 vehicles. Year-to-date, VCUSA has sold 64,872, a 20.6 increase year-over-year.

Porsche Cars North America announced another record breaking October sales result of 4,506 vehicles, a 10.7 percent gain. Year-to-date sales of 44,752, up 3.2 percent over 2015.

Results will be posted as manufacturers report.

Lotus Evora Sport 410 Coming To North America Next Summer


The Lotus Evora Sport 410 is powered by a 410 horsepower 3.5-litre 6-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an available six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters andcan sprint from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The Lotus Evora Sport 410 is limited to a global production run of 150 vehicles per year, and is on sale now for $120,000 in Germany and $100,400 in the U.K. and Japan for $144,000 and the rest of world markets. An adapted version of the Evora Sport 410 for the North American market will follow in summer 2017.

2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43 Coming Early Next Year


The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE43 SUV, the ninth model in its new line of AMG 43 performance vehicles, replacing the GLE400, features a 362 horsepower AMG-enhanced 3.0L V6 biturbo powertrain with the AMG-enhanced 9G- TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission. The AMG GLE43 SUV will go on sale by early 2017.

2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport Starts At $22,485


The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport has a starting MSRP of $22,485 (including $835 destination charge) for the 201 horsepower 1.6L Turbo-GDI engine mated to the standard 6-speed manual transmission. The Elantra Sport with a 7-speed DCT and paddle shifters starts at $23,585. The available Premium Package for $2,400 adds an 8” navigation system, 8-speaker Infinity premium audio system with Clari-Fi Music restoration technology, Blue Link connectivity, a power sunroof, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert & Lane Change Assist, dual automatic temperature control with auto defogger, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and a compass.

Sunday, October 30, 2016

2017 Subaru Impreza Starts At $19,215 Late This Year


The all-new 2017 Subaru Impreza sedan and 5-door models are powered by a 152 horsepower direct fuel injection 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine. The base and sports trims offer 5-speed manual transmissions while most models have the Lineartronic®CVT (continuously variable transmission) that features a 7-speed manual mode function with steering wheel paddle shifters that allow the driver to control the transmission via seven pre-set ratios. The 2017 Subaru Impreza will be offered in 2.0i, 2.0i Premium, 2.0i Sport and 2.0i Limited trim levels. Models equipped with Subaru’s Lineartronic® Continuously Variable Transmission will arrive late 2016 while 5-speed manual models will be available in early 2017. The new Impreza offers up to 38 mpg highway on CVT models. Manual transmission model and mpg will be available in early 2017. Pricing begins just $100 over previous model year at $19,215 (including $820 destination & delivery charge) for the 2.0i manual transmission model up to a starting price of $25,415 for the 2.0i Limited 5-door Impreza.

Acura TLX GT Package On 2016 and 2017 Models


The new Acura TLX GT Package, available on all 2016 and 2017 TLX models, includes a rear decklid spoiler, front spoiler, side sill garnishes and rear underbody spoiler, along with an optional 19-inch Diamond Cut wheel and tire kit. The TLX offers a 206-horsepower 2.4-liter i-VTEC inline-4 with 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission with torque converter and a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 with 9-speed automatic transmission. TLX models offer Precision All-Wheel Steer™, next-generation Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ and Agile Handling Assist.

2017 Audi A3 Coming This Fall With More Horsepower


The 2017 Audi A3 has a more powerful 186 horsepower 2.0-liter TFSI® engine, an increase of 16 horsepower over the previous generation A3 1.8T and mated to a new seven-speed S tronic® dual clutch transmission with front-wheel drive delivering 29-mpg combined EPA-estimated fuel economy. The A3 Sedan and Cabriolet models are also available with the higher output 2.0 TFSI quattro® all-wheel drive turbocharged four-cylinder engine with six-speed S tronic® dual clutch automatic transmission. The A3 Sedan FWD starts at $32,150 (including $950 destination charge) this Fall.

2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 Sedan Coming Next Summer


The 2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 Sedan base model has a 563 horsepower AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo engine with AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system and accelerates to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds to a top speed of 155 mph while the E63 S Sedan is rated at 603 horsepower and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds to a top speed of 186 mph. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) nine-speed sport transmission is combined with a wet start-off clutch for the first time. Both E63 models are available with the new AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system. The 2018 AMG E63 Sedan makes its auto show world premiere at the 2016 Los Angeles International Auto Show with its US dealer launch is planned for the summer of 2017.

2017 MINI Countryman Goes On Sale In March


The all-new 2017 MINI Countryman, completely redesigned and reengineered, will be offered as a plug-in hybrid and a Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 powered by both a 221 hosrepower three-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology gasoline engine delivering 42 percent more torque than its predecessor and an electric hybrid synchronous motor. The all-new MINI Countryman has a cargo space increase of 30 percent compared to the outgoing generation with sliding, folding rear seats, a high roofline, and an adjustable trunk floor. All three of the new MINI Countryman variants will make their World Premiere at the Los Angeles International Auto Show November 16th. The new MINI Countryman will go on sale in March 2017 at MINI dealers across the U.S. with the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid following in June 2017.

All-New 2017 Mazda CX-5 Will Debut Nov. 16 At LA Auto Show


The all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5 will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public November 18-27.

2018 Volkswagen Atlas Large SUV Coming Next Spring


The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is a seven-passenger SUV measuring 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide and 69.6 inches high coming with either a 238 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® four cylinder or a 280 horsepower 3.6-liter VR6 engine mated to an eight-speed transmission in front-wheel-drive or with available 4Motion all-wheel-drive in VR6 trims. Also available is Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane and Parking Steering Assistant. The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, built alongside the Passat at the Volkswagen Chattanooga assembly plant, will launch in the Spring of 2017.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

2017 BMW 5 Series Coming In February


The all-new 7th generation 2017 BMW 5 Series is 1.2 inches longer overall on a 0.2 inch longer wheelbase, 0.3 inches wider and 0.6 inches taller, than the outgoing model with a choice of a new 248 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder inline engine in the BMW 530i with 0 to 60 acceleration of 6 seconds to a top speed of 130 mph. The new BMW 540i has 35 more horsepower in a 335 horsepower 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine with a 0 to 60 time of 4.9 seconds and electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph.


All the engines are available at launch with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. The 2017 BMW 5 Series has the new iDrive 6.0 user interface, gesture control, the latest generation of Head-Up Display, Remote 3D View and an improved Voice Control with natural voice input. The all-new BMW 5 Series will be available at U.S. dealers in February 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch.

2017 Honda CR-V Goes On Sale This Winter


The all-new, fifth-generation 2017 Honda CR-V, is completely redesigned and reengineered has a 190 horsepower 1.5-liter DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine in EX and higher trims mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda G-Shift control logic. CR-V LX trims will be powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, direct-injected i-VTECÔ engine also mated to the continuously variable transmission.

The CR-V has an all-new body and chassis design and new windswept front end appearance. Available features on the 2017 Honda CR-V include remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated side mirrors, an Electric Parking Brake, rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver's seat with 8-way power adjustment, 4-way power lumbar support and heated front seats and hands-free access power tailgate.


Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking with Forward Collision Warning and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist. Additional new driver-assistive technologies include the available Blind Spot Information, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Auto High Beam headlights. The 2017 CR-V goes on sale this winter.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Friday, October 7, 2016

What To See In OC This Weekend



Take a test drive on the streets around the Anaheim Convention Center or bounce around on the rugged terrain inside at Camp Jeep.


This Chevrolet Camaro 2SS with a 640 horsepower supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission is priced at $54,780.


Hyundai's new luxury Genesis brand displays the Genesis G90 (left) both the 365 horsepower 3.3 liter V6 that starts at $68,100 and 420 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 that starts at $69,700 and the Genesis G80 (in the background) with its 311 horsepower 3.8 liter V6 that starts at $41,400.


Maserati Levante SUV with its 350 horsepower 3.0L twin-turbo GDI V6 starts at $72,000.


2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan will get an EPA-expected 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in the city with an all-electric range of 30 miles.


Subaru WRX STI Limited/w wing/HUV 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER enginemated to a 6-speed manual transmission starts at $35,195, this one costs $41,374.


2016 Ford Focus RS all-wheel-drive is powered by a 350-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine.


For the first time there's a commercial truck display at the OC Auto Show.


There's a basement full of exotics, like this Ferrari, to feed your dreams or drain your wallet.

The Orange County Auto Show opened yesterday and runs through Sunday.