Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Mercedes-AMG C 43 Sedan

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 Sedan is powered by a 402 horsepower AMG 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission with wet start-off clutch and AMG Performance 4MATIC with a 48-volt electrified turbocharger enabling higher torque at low revs. 

2023 Subaru Solterra Starts At $46,220 This Summer

The 2023 Subaru Solterra, offered in Premium, Limited, and Touring trim levels, will begin arriving in limited numbers at Subaru retailers this Summer starting at $46,220 (including $1,225 destination and delivery charge) for the Premium before a potential Federal tax credit of up to $7,500,  $49,720 for the Limited and $53,220 for the Touring trim. The all-new electric SUV delivers a total of 215 horsepower and 249 lb.-ft. of torque from front and rear electric motors.

Thomas Doll, President and Chief Executive Officer for Subaru of America, talks about the new Solterra at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Click to watch.


Lincoln Star Concept

The Lincoln Star Concept is Lincoln’s vision for connected, electrified vehicles with three new fully electric vehicles coming by 2025 and a fourth by 2026. 

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

New Larger 2023 BMW 7 Series Starts At $94,295 In 4th Quarter

The new 2023 BMW 7 Series has grown by 5.1 inches in length to 212.2, by 1.9 inches in width to 76.8, and by 2 inches in height to 60.8 on a wheelbase that is now 0.2 inches longer at 126.6. The new 2023 BMW 7 Series comes in a 740i powered by a 3-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine that starts at $94,295 (including $995 destination), a 760i xDrive powered by a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 mated to new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission that starts at $114,595 and the i7 xDrive60 (pictured), featuring two electric motors with a combined output of 536 horsepower and 549 lb-ft of instantaneous torque with an estimated range of up to 300 zero-emission miles (according to preliminary BMW AG tests based on the EPA’s test procedure standards) that starts at $120,295 with the US market launch beginning in Q4 2022.

2023 Lexus RZ 450e Battery EV Arrives End Of 2022

The all-new 2023 Lexus RZ 450e, the luxury brand’s first global Battery EV (BEV), has a  current U.S. manufacturer-estimated range is up to 225 miles with 18-inch tires. The DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system controls front and rear drive force according to driving and road surface conditions. Available in the U.S. at a future date, the Lexus-first Steer by Wire system enables the electronic exchange of steering and road surface information between the steering control and tires via electrical signals, not mechanical linkage. The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is expected to go on sale towards the end of 2022.

2023 Subaru BRZ Starts At $29,615

The 2023 Subaru BRZ, powered by a 228 horsepower 2.4-liter (naturally aspirated) SUBARU BOXER® engine paired with a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission or a six-speed electronic direct-control automatic transmission, is offered in Premium and Limited trim levels, with a starting price of $29,615 (including $1,020 destination and delivery). The 2023 BRZ Premium with optional automatic transmission is priced at $31,115. 

Genesis X Speedium Coupe Previews EVs To Come

The Genesis X Speedium Coupe, based on the Genesis X Concept, looks ahead to the next wave of EVs and highlighting Genesis’ future as a luxury electric vehicle brand becoming an all-electric car brand with a six-model lineup by 2030. Genesis announced that the Electrified Genesis GV70 will be its first vehicle produced in the U.S. at its manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama, with production is expected to begin in December 2022.

Aston Martin DBX707 SUV Coming In 2nd Quarter

The new Aston Martin DBX707 SUV powered by a 707PS (697 horsepower) 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 mated to a 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ automatic transmission delivering a 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds. DBX707 first deliveries are scheduled to begin during early Q2 2022.

Friday, April 15, 2022

Ford Flashback Video: J Mays, VP Design 1997-2013


J Mays, incoming Vice President of Design at Ford Motor Company in 1997, is interviewed by Richard Saxton about his background in Germany, including Audi, and his design ideas and methods at the introduction of the 1998 model Lincoln Continental and Town Car. During his tenure at Ford through 2013, Mays design oversight covered Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Aston Martin brands. 

Click here to watch interview.

Ford Flashback Video: Jack Telnack, VP of Design 1980-1997


Jack Telnack, Vice President of Design at Ford Motor Company from 1980 to 1997, in a 1997 interview with Richard Saxton, discusses his years at Ford, his design methods and the 1998 Lincoln Town Car. Telnack is best known for the 1979 Ford Mustang, 1983 Ford Thunderbird and the 1986 Ford Taurus.

Click to watch the interview.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Toyota bZ4X SUV Starts At $42,000 This Spring

The all-electric Toyota bZ4X SUV, 3.7 inches longer than the RAV4 and offered XLE and Limited grades. The 201 horsepower Front Wheel Drive has an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 252 miles delivering 131 MPGe city, 107 MPGe highway and 119 MPGe combined. The 214 horsepower All-Wheel Drive has an EPA-estimated range of up to 228 miles for 114 MPGe city, 94 MPGe highway and 104 MPGe combined. The bZ4X comes standard with a 12.3-inch widescreen Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The Toyota bZ4X SUV with “bZ,” standing for “Beyond Zero,” will have a starting MSRP of $42,000 this Spring. 

2023 Nissan LEAF Gets Refreshed

2023 Nissan LEAF, available in LEAF S and LEAF SV PLUS grade levels, gets a refreshed front grille, bumper molding and headlights that feature a new black inner finish. The 2023 LEAF S is equipped with a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery and 110-kW electric motor that delivers 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Nissan LEAF SV PLUS features a 60-kWh lithium-ion battery and a powerful 160-kW electric motor that produces 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. EPA range estimates for both models will be available closer to launch, however range is expected to be similar to 2022 models.

2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Starts At $28,505 This Spring

The all-new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid (HEV), powered by a hybrid powertrain combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a 44-kW motor for 227 horsepower channeled to either the front wheels or distributed through an active all-wheel-drive system targeted to achieve up to 39 mpg and more than 500 miles of driving range. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid starts at $28,505 (including $1,215 destination) with an on-sale date this Spring.


2023 Honda HR-V Coming This Summer

The 2nd-generation all-new 2023 Honda HR-V, based on the 11th generation Honda Civic (powered by a 158 horsepower 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® In-Line 4-Cylinder engine or a 180 horsepower turbo-charged engine), is larger than its predecessor with a longer wheelbase and wider stance with a new grille and longer hood is set to launch this Summer.

Mercedes-AMG EQS Starts At $148,550 This Spring

The new Mercedes-AMG EQS, with an output of up to 649 horsepower and a boost function that provides up to 751 horsepower with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ variable all-wheel drive system, is based on the Mercedes-EQ and starts from $148,550 (including $1,050 destination and delivery charge). Like the EQS from Mercedes-EQ, the suspension of the new Mercedes-AMG EQS features a four-link axle at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension is based on AIRMATIC air suspension combined with adaptive, electronically controlled adjustable damping together with rear-axle steering of up to 9-degrees as standard. The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan will arrive in U.S. dealerships in late Spring of 2022.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Lotus Eletre 4WD Hyper-SUV Coming Later This Year

The all-new, all-electric Lotus Eletre 4WD Hyper-SUV has power outputs starting at 600 horsepower, with a 350kW charge time of 20 minutes for 248 mile range and accepts 22kW AC charging with a target driving range of 373 miles on full charge. The LIDAR system supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology. Manufacturing at all-new hi-tech facility in China to start later this year. 

2023 Ford F-150 Rattler On Sale This Fall

The 2023 Ford F-150 Rattler, built off the XL series, with FX4 content featuring skid plates, electronic rear-locking differential, hill descent control, and specially tuned off-road shock absorbers. The 2023 F-150 Rattler goes on sale this Fall. 

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema Arrive In Q3

2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema (above), based on the top-of-the line Veloce trim, is a limited-edition series powered by a 280 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard Q4 all-wheel drive on Stelvio Estrema (optional Q4 on Giulia Estrema). The Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema RWD starts at 56,685 (including $1,595 destination charge) and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema AWD at $58,685. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD starts at $60,545. Ordering for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema is now open with availability in the third quarter of 2022.

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Maserati Grecale Modena Coming This Fall

Maserati Grecale Modena Limited Edition SUV, only available via online reservation for delivery starting Fall 2022, is powered by a 325 horsepower four-cylinder mild hybrid engine. The Grecale SUV will begin arriving in the US, Canada, Fall of 2022.  Online reservations require a $500 refundable deposit to your preferred Maserati dealership. At launch, the Maserati Grecale Modena will come in the 296 horsepower GT powered by a four-cylinder mild hybrid engine, the 325 horsepower Modena, and the high performance 523 horsepower 3.0L V6 Trofeo. Completing the line up is the the 100% electric Grecale Folgore with 400V technology.

2022 Jeep® Renegade RED Starts At $31,185

Special-edition RED 2022 Jeep® Renegade, powered by a  177 horsepower 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive full-time 4x4 automatic system, starts at $31,185 (including $1,595 destination) for the Latitude trim-based special-edition. All Renegade models are equipped with more than 70 standard and available safety and security features, including Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Blind-spot Monitoring and Active Lane Management System.