Wednesday, May 11, 2022

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Starts At $149,990 Late Summer

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is powered by a 682 horsepower a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission calibrated for the Escalade-V full-time active all-wheel-drive system and comes with a standard curved OLED with 38 inches of total diagonal display with twice the pixel density of a 4K television. The 2023 Escalade-V goes on sale late this Summer, with a starting MSRP of $149,990 (including destination charge). An Escalade-V ESV version is also available.

2023 Toyota Highlander Gets A Turbo Four-Cylinder Engine

The 2023 Toyota Highlander gets a 265-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 17 percent increase in torque over the previous 3.5-liter V6 engine equipped to tow up to 5,000-pounds and include Trailer Sway Control, which uses the Vehicle Stability Control with a manufacturer-estimated 24 MPG combined while the Highlander Hybrid gets a 36 combined MPG manufacturer estimated rating. New dual 12.3-inch screens are in Limited and Platinum models and the XLE and XSE grades join the Limited and Platinum in featuring the hands-free power liftgate. The 2023 Highlander Hybrid, offered in both FWD and AWD, combines a 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators for 243 total system horsepower. 

2023 Range Rover Sport Starts At $84.350

The new 2023 Range Rover Sport, available in SE, SE Dynamic and Autobiography specifications, is offered in a P440e with an extended Electric Hybrid powertrain with an estimated range of 48 miles, a P360 with a 355 horsepower six-cylinder Ingenium gasoline engine or a P400 with a 434 horsepower 3.0 liter six-cylinder Ingenium gasoline engine with a 105kW electric motor and 31.8 kWh battery and an all-new 523 horsepower V8 Twin Turbo powertrain. Pure-electric propulsion will be introduced in 2024. All mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The new Range Rover Sport is available to order now, priced from $84,350 (including $1,350 destination/handling) in the US. 

2023 Honda Odyssey Starts At $38,635 Later This Month

The 2023 Honda Odyssey, powered by a 280 horsepower V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, offers a new Sport trim which includes a one-touch power moonroof with tilt feature, power tailgate with programmable height and an 8-way power adjustable front passenger seat. All 2023 Odysseys feature Honda Sensing® including Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Pedestrian Emergency Braking. Prices for the 2023 Odyssey EX start at $38,635 (including $1,295 destination and handling charge) and the new Sport trim starts at $42,505. The 2023 Odyssey gets the Honda Service Pass covering select factory-scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Thursday, May 5, 2022

2022 Audi RS 3 Sedan Starts At $59,995 This Summer

The all-new second generation 2022 Audi RS 3 Sedan, powered by a 401 horsepower 2.5 liter five-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic® transmission, is priced at $59,995 (including $1,095 destination charge) and slated to be on sale by this Summer.

2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge, XC40 Arrive Refreshed This Summer

The all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge model and the XC40 will receive fresh styling updates, and the XC40 moves to all mild hybrid powertrain options and gains the new Google built-in infotainment system. The entire 2023 lineup of Volvo cars in the U.S. will consist of mild hybrid, hybrid or electric vehicles equipped with Google built-in. The 2023 Volvo XC40 lineup is in production now and will begin arriving in retailers this Summer. 

2023 Kia Soul Arrives Later This Summer

The new 2023 Kia Soul, powered by a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four cylinder engine mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission and offered in LX, S, EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Tech trimlines, will feature an all-new front fascia, new Daytime Running Lamps and turn signals, new available 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels and a redesigned rear fascia. Inside, a 10.25-inch (standard on all but LX trim) touchscreen with navigation. The Soul pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date which is later this Summer.

2023 Acura Integra Starts At $31,895 In June

The all-new 2023 Acura Integra 5-door liftback, powered by a 200 horsepower 1.5-liter VTEC® turbo engine mated to a  6-speed manual transmission, starts at $31,895 (including $1,095 destination charge) when it begins arriving at dealerships in early June.


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.