Thursday, April 6, 2023

2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Starts At $33,290

The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness, powered by a 182 horsepower 2.5-liter direct-injection SUBARU BOXER® engine with a drivetrain engineered for better off-road performance with a revised differential gear ratio and retuned Lineartronic CVT, elevated 9.3-inch ground clearance and exclusive body cladding. Maximum towing capacity more than doubles to 3,500 lb. The Crosstrek Wilderness is equipped with Subaru’s driver-selectable dual-function X-MODE and comes standard with the SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus system. The system offers Snow / Dirt and Deep Snow / Mud modes. The starting price is $33,290 (including $1,295 destination and delivery).

2024 Jeep® Wrangler Arrives Later This Year

The new 2024 Jeep® Wrangler adds a full-float Dana rear axle, an available 100:1 crawl ratio, a new factory Warn winch and increased 5,000-pound tow capability. The powertrain options include a 375 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged PHEV 4xe, a 270 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine, a 285 horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 and a 470 horsepower 6.4-liter V-8. The 2.0- and 3.6-liter gas engines offer both a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A new interior features available power front seats, standard 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen radio and standard side curtain airbags in the first and second rows. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler will be available in Sport, Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon and Rubicon 392 models. Ordering is open now and vehicles will start to arrive in U.S. Jeep dealerships later in 2023. The 2024 Jeep Wrangler will also be available in markets around the world.

2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 On Sale Now For $61,050

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Sedan, offered in Premium and Pinnacle trim levels is now on sale starting at $61,050 (including $1,150 destination and delivery charge), and powered by a 402 horsepower AMG 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a AMG SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9G transmission and comes with standard rear-axle steering, AMG Performance 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with rear-biased torque distribution and AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with Adaptive Damping System. 

2025 Ram 1500 REV

The 2025 Ram 1500 REV, available in Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Limited and all-new Tungsten trims, will offer a standard 168-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a targeted range of up to 350 miles and an optional 229-kWh large battery pack with a targeted range of up to 500 miles. Both can add up to 110 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes with 800-volt DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, offering customers quick and convenient charging solutions. The 2025 Ram 1500 REV can tow up to 14,000 lbs. and carry a  payload of up to 2,700 lbs. The all-new Ram 1500 REV XR will follow the introduction of the all-electric Ram 1500 REV.

2024 Hyundai Kona Coming This Fall

The all-new 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric, Limited, and N Line models, are 5.7 inches longer overall on a wheelbase that's increased by 2.3 inches, and it's a full inch wider than its predecessor. The Kona Electric is equipped with the 64.8-kWh battery delivering an electric range of 260 miles based on preliminary Hyundai internal estimates.  Kona offers a choice of two gasoline powertrains, a 147 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine paired with a Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission while the N Line and Limited trims offer a 190 horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The all-new 2024 Kona will arrive at U.S. dealers this summer, and the Kona Electric will be available late Fall.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

2024 Mercedes‑Benz GLS Coming Later This Year

The new 2024 Mercedes‑Benz GLS models are available in a 375 horsepower GLS 450 4MATIC, a 510 horsepower GLS 580 4MATIC, a 550 horsepower Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 and a 603 horsepower AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT® TCT 9G transmission comes in the Mercedes-AMG GLS63. The new 2024 GLS model range will arrive in U.S. dealerships later in 2023.

Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept

 

The Genesis GV80 Coupe Concept.

2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Coming Later This Year

 

The new 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron, Audi’s flagship electric SUV, now gets an EPA estimated range of 300 miles for the Q8 Sportback e-tron with ultra package, an increase of around 30 percent compared to the 2023 e-tron Sportback and features a higher-capacity battery engineered into the existing packaging space. The Q8 e-tron uses the MMI touch response operating system with an upper 10.1-inch and lower 8.6-inch high-resolution displays using haptic touch technology or natural voice control. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron is anticipated to arrive in U.S. showrooms by Summer of 2023 and will be followed by the introduction of the SQ8 e-tron later this year.

2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 For $96,666

The 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170, limited to not more than 3,300 total units, which produces 1,025 horsepower is now open for orders at a price of $96,666 (excluding destination and fees).

All-New Hyundai Sonata Launches In The Second Half of 2023

The new Hyundai Sonata, the eighth-generation of the midsize sedan, is powered by a choice of a gasoline-powered 2.5L engine, 2.5L turbo engine and 2.0L hybrid electric with a 2.5L turbo developed especially for the N Line. It's equipped with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, Blind-spot Collision Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist , Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Navigation based Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist. Sonata has a panoramic curved display that combines both 12.3-inch driver information clusters and 12.3-inch AVN infotainment system. The vehicle expects to launch in global markets in the second half of this year.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

2023 Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell EV Starts At $49,500

The 2023 Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), in its second-generation, is larger and built on the Rear-Wheel Drive GA-L platform that allows for an additional hydrogen fuel tank over the first generation car. The FCEV driver fills the tank with non-toxic compressed hydrogen gas which generates its own electricity onboard from hydrogen, with water as the only emission delivering an EPA estimated range of 402 miles on the Mirai XLE grade. All new Toyota Mirai will include up to $15,000 of complimentary hydrogen with a purchase or lease. Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5+ system comes standard on all 2023 Mirai including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist. The 2023 XLE grade has a starting MSRP of $49,500. The Limited grade has a starting MSRP of $66,000.

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 and GLB 35 Coming Late This Year

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 and GLB 35 compact SUV is powered by a 302 horsepower AMG-enhanced 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT® DCT 8G transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The GLA 35 and GLB 35 are equipped standard with a 48-volt mild hybrid system featuring a second generation belt-driven starter-generator that provides a temporary power boost of 13 horsepower under certain driving conditions. New for 2024 is newly styled front fascia with the AMG emblem now on the hood and light signatures at the front and rear with revised LED headlights and taillights. The GLA 35 and GLB 35 are available with the optional next generation Parking package, which supports parallel parking and offers a 360-degree visualization in camera-assisted parking using 3D images from the available Surround View system. Both models arrive in U.S. dealerships later in 2023. 

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

2024 Lexus NX 250 Starts At $40,205

The 2024 Lexus NX, largely a carryover model from 2023. The NX 250 is powered by a 203 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with start/stop functionality mated to an eight-speed transmission and starts at $40,205 (including $1,150 delivery, process & handling). The NX 350, starting at $43,965, has a 275 horsepower 2.4L turbo engine also with an eight-speed transmission and for the 2024 model year F SPORT Handling is available on the NX 350. The Lexus NX 350h, starting at $43,805, pairs the 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators for 240 combined system horsepower and a combined EPA-estimated 39 MPG. The NX 450h+ (pictured above), starting at $58,655, has an EPA-estimated 37-mile range on electric power only, made possible by the high-capacity lithium-ion battery and when combined with the hybrid transaxle, a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine delivers an EPA-estimated combined 84 MPGe. For the 2024 model year, F SPORT Handling is available on the NX 350. 

Kia EV9 3-Row SUV

The Kia EV9, three-row electric flagship SUV, will make its digital global premiere in late March. 

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe Coming Later This Year

The new 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, at 187.5 inches, is 1.2 inches longer and 0.2 inches higher than its predecessor, powered by the same 255 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electrified mild hybrid powertrain as its GLC 300 sibling. The interior is equipped with the sporty AMG Line as standard, and a 12.3-inch high-resolution driver display and 11.9-inch central display. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe will arrive in U.S. dealerships later in 2023.

2023 Lexus RZ 450e EV On Sale Now

The all-new, all-electric 2023 Lexus RZ 450e, the brand’s first globally available, purpose-built battery-electric vehicle, with 308 total system horsepower rating from a 71.4 kWh battery delivering an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 220 miles when equipped with 18” wheels and an EPA-estimated MPGe rating of 115/98/107 (city/highway/combined). When utilizing 20” wheels, the RZ has an EPA-estimated MPGe of 102/87/95 with an EPA-estimated range of up to 196 miles. RZ 450e utilizes DIRECT4, an all-wheel drive system first introduced with the 2023 Lexus RX, which features a rear eAxle coupled with the engine and front motor. The 2023 RZ 450e is built in Toyota City, Japan, and is on sale now in limited quantities.

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Subaru of America President/CEO Tom Doll To Assume New Role

Tom Doll, President and Chief Executive Officer of Subaru of America will step down from the day-to-day management of the company and will assume the role of Corporate Advisor based at the Camden, New Jersey headquarters effective April 1st . It comes after more than 40 years with Subaru of America, including roles as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 2009, and subsequently President from 2013 and CEO from 2018. He led Subaru of America to 12 consecutive years of sales records from 2008 to 2019 when the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down production. Doll also served as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Business and Strategic Planning, Director of Accounting, Director of Treasury Operations and Manager of Treasury Operations. Here are a few of many interviews with my friend and one of the auto industry's great leaders:

2021 Tom Doll interview.  

2013: Tom Doll interview. 

2010 Tom Doll interview. 

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV Starts At $48,250 This Spring

The new generation 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV,  Mercedes-Benz USA best-selling model, is powered by a new, more powerful 255 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a second-generation integrated starter generator and 48-volt mild hybrid system that provides up to an additional 23 horsepower. The interior features a new floating 12.3-inch digital instrument panel along with an 11.9-inch central display that rises from the center console. The all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV will start from $48,250 (including $1,150 destination and delivery charge). The new generation 2023 GLC SUV will arrive in U.S. dealerships in the Spring.

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV Starts At $79,050 This Spring

The all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, the second fully-electric SUV from Mercedes-Benz based on the premium-class electric architecture, comes in EQE 350+ SUV, EQE 350 4MATIC SUV and EQE 500 4MATIC starting at $79,050 (including $1,150 destination and delivery charge) and will arrive at U.S. dealerships this Spring. The EQE SUV improves range using a heat pump and an intelligent powertrain management system that takes heat from the electric drive (inverter and electric motor) and the high-voltage battery to heat the interior rather than drawing on battery power for the heating system, thus increasing the range. The all-new intelligent powertrain management system monitors at 160 times per second, to determine if the front electric motor is necessary. If not, a clutch disconnects or re-engages the front motor in 100 milliseconds to reduce drag and improves range. The top-of-the line EQE 500 4MATIC starts at $96,350.

2024 Subaru Outback SUV and Legacy Sedan Coming This Fall

The 2024 Subaru Outback SUV starting at $30,190 (including $1,295 destination & delivery) and Legacy sedan starting at $25,985 are powered by a 182 horsepower 2.5-liter BOXER engine paired with a Lineartronic® CVT (continuously variable transmission) with 8-speed manual shift mode and steering wheel paddle shift control switches. The Outback Base is equipped with the STARLINK dual 7.0-inch center information display with the upper 7-inch touchscreen operating audio controls while the lower 7-inch touchscreen controls for climate, EyeSight, X-MODE, and other vehicle systems. Priced at $40,655, the Outback Onyx Edition XT upgrades to the 260 horsepower 2.4-liter turbo BOXER engine as well as 180-Degree Front View Monitor, 8-way power front passenger seat, heated rear seats (outboard seat position), and a full-size spare tire. This year, the Outback Wilderness receives updated front styling. Both models will begin arriving at Subaru retailers this Fall.