Video: Kia's Eddie Rayyan Discusses 2015 Kia K900 V8

The all-new 2015 Kia K900 is offered with a 311 horsepower 3.8-liter Lamba V6 that will be launched sometime after the 420 horsepower Tau DOHC all-aluminum 32-valve five-liter V8 engine which just went on sale starting at $60,400 (including $900 in destination charges) for the K900 V8 Luxury model. The K900 comes with a three-year, 37,500-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance program covering the first five service visits at participating Kia dealerships.

Standard on the V8 are adaptive LED headlights with 16 LED bulbs, heated wheel, Nappa leather, 12-way adjustable driver’s seat including power lumbar support, front seat multi-stage heating and ventilation, Blind Spot Detection System, full-length panoramic roof with power retractable sunshade, and a 900-watt Lexicon high-fidelity audio system with a trunk-mounted 12-channel digital amplifier feeding 17 speakers. 

Eddie Rayyan, Kia Motors America, Product Strategy Manager discusses the all-new Kia K900 luxury sedan.

The V8 VIP Package K900 sells for $66,400 and has Head-Up Display, a TFT instrument panel with a 12.3 inch full-color LCD screen, seats with the ability to independently recline and incorporate power lumbar support and lateral headrest adjustability, a Lane Departure Warning System and a Surround View Monitor system which utilizes four wide-angle mini-cameras at the front and rear and within the outside rear view mirrors. The K900 V8 VIP Package also includes a radar-based Advanced Smart Cruise Control that adjusts vehicle speed to help maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front and has the ability to bring the K900 to a full stop.  The system will also automatically accelerate the vehicle once traffic allows.

Koenigsegg Agera R - Zero to 200 MPH In 17.68 Seconds

The Koenigsegg Agera R made of a carbon fiber with aluminum honeycomb chassis is powered by an 1140 horsepower twin turbo superchargered aluminum 5.0L V8 engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that can take it to a reported top speed of 273 miles an hour. At a price upwards of $1.6 million, the Agera R can sprint from zero to 200 mph in 17.68 seconds. 

The two-door, two seater roadster hypercar has a removable glass hardtop stowable under the front hood and comes with an adaptive rear wing, front winglets, rear view camera, Aircore carbon fiber wheels and new Aero exhaust. The Agera R is a flexfuel car running on both E85 biofuel and 95 octane fuel. Gas has less octane than ethanol E85 so the power is reduced to 960 horsepower. From the land of Volvo and Saab, Koenigsegg Automotive AB is based in Sweden and will show off one of these cars next month at the New York Auto Show.

2014 Dodge Journey Starts At $25,980 With 283 Horsepower V6

The 2014 Dodge Journey mid-size crossover with available seven-passenger seating gets the 283 horsepower Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive on SE models which start at $25,890 (including $995 destination). The powertrain delivers up to 24 mpg on the highway in AWD Journey models and 25 mpg for front-wheel-drive models. 2014 Dodge Journey models are built in Toluca, Mexico.

2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe Goes On-Sale Today Starting At $23,580

The restyled 2014 Honda Civic Si Coupe with a 205 horsepower 2.4-liter i-VTEC® DOHC 16-valve engine delivering 174 lb-ft of torque and mated to a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission goes on-sale today starting at $23,580 (including $790 destination charge) followed by the Si Sedan on March 26 starting at $23,780.

For 2014 the Si Coupe and Si Sedan add as standard equipment Honda's new 7-inch Display Audio touchscreen, which uses a smartphone-like interface, allowing users to swipe, tap and pinch their way through audio, phonebook, media, vehicle information and available navigation features. The display is also the interface for the next generation HondaLink™, the application based platform that connects customers to smartphone-provided online content both inside and outside the car. Also standard on the 2014 Si is the convenient Smart Entry with Push Button start, expanded view driver's mirror and Honda LaneWatch™ display for enhanced driver visibility.

BMW X4 xDrive28i Starts At $45,625

The all-new BMW X4 xDrive28i Sports Activity Coupe with a 240 horsepower 2.0-liter four cylinder engine has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $45,625 and the X4 xDrive35i, with a 300 horsepower 3.0-liter inline six engine has an MSRP of $48,925. Both models include an 8-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission with shift paddles as well as xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system. At 184.3 inches in length, it is 0.6 inches longer than the X3 and is 1.5 inches lower. The X4 concept was introduced in Los Angeles last November.

MINI Clubman Concept - Longer and Wider

The MINI Clubman Concept, longer and wider than the current model, with four doors and five seats.

Jaguar XE Compact Sport Sedan Coming To U.S. In 2016

The Jaguar XE all-new compact sport sedan with new advanced aluminum architecture will launch globally in 2015 and comes to the United States in 2016. The new Ingenium engine line will also offer a flexible engine architecture that can be configured to suit in-line and transverse installations and can be used in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

Mazda HAZUMI - Next Generation Subcompact

Mazda HAZUMI is the next-generation Mazda 4-passenger, 5-door subcompact concept model with the SKYACTIV-D 1.5, a newly developed small-displacement clean diesel engine i-ACTIVSENSE safety features. Mazda is focusing on four key areas with its new generation models; KODO—Soul of Motion design language, SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY, Mazda Proactive Safety, and a new car connectivity system called Mazda Connect. The MAZDA HAZUMI unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show brings together all four of these elements.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II - Re-designed

 The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II re-designed and updated.

February 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors delivered 222,104 vehicles in the United States in February 2014. Total sales were down 1 percent compared with a year ago. Year-to-date sales are 393,590, down 6.1 percent from last year.

Ford Motor Company U.S. total sales of 183,947 vehicles in February are down 6.1 percent from a year ago. Retail sales of 125,919 vehicles are off 4 percent. Year-to-date sales of 338,591 is down 6.5 percent from 2013.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported February 2014 sales results of 159,284, a decrease of 4.3 percent from February 2013.

Chrysler reported U.S. sales of 154,866, an 11 percent increase compared with sales in February 2013  and the best February sales since 2007. Year-to-date sales of 282,049 is a 10 percent increase over last year.

Nissan announced total U.S. sales for February 2014 of 115,360 units, an increase of 15.8 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date sales of 205,830 is an increase of 14 percent from 2013.

American Honda Motor reported February 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 100,405, down 7 percent from 2013 and year-to-date sales are 192,036, down 4.8 percent from last year.

Hyundai Motor America announced February sales of 49,003, down 6 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 93,008 is a drop of 3.1 percent from a year ago.

Kia Motors America reported February sales of 41,218, only 287 vehicles fewer than a year ago. Year-to-date sales are 78,229, a 0.5 percent increase over last year.

Subaru of America announced continuing record sales with February sales of 34,909, a 24 percent increase over February 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported February sales of 27,112, a 13.8 percent decline from February 2013. Year-to-date sales of 60,474 is a 16.3 percent drop from the first two months of 2013. Separately, Audi reported February 2014 sales of 10,881 vehicles, just 4 more than a year ago giving Audi it's 38th consecutive month of record monthly sales. Year-to-date, Audi has sold 20,982 vehicles, a 0.2 percent increase over 2013.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) reported sales of 24,971 across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, a 3.8 percent increase over February 2013, making it the highest volume on record for the month. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone achieved record February sales of 22,609, increasing 2.6 percent over last year while Mercedes year-to-date sales were 45,213, up 1.5 percent. Adding year-to-date sales of 2,709 for Sprinter Vans and 1,462 units at smart, MBUSA achieved a year-to-date total of 49,384.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported February sales of 24,476 vehicles, a decrease of 4.4 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, the BMW Group is down 1.2 percent on sales of 45,272 in the first two months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013.

Mazda North American Operations reported February U.S. sales of 24,431, a decrease of 2.4 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through February are down 6.7 percent versus last year, with 43,155 vehicles sold.

Volvo Cars reported retail sales of 3,991, down 18 per cent versus February 2013.

Porsche Cars North America February 2014 sales of 3,232 vehicles was an increase of 15 percent compared to the same period last year and making it the best February on record for Porsche in the U.S. Year-to-date sales of 6,328 is three percent more than in the first two months of 2013.


Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

2015 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT Debuts In Geneva

The 2015 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT, with more than 450 horsepower, has the same width as GS and a shorter wheelbase than the IS sedan and it's the third RC model joining the RC 350 sport coupe and RC F performance model.

Volkswagen T-ROC SUV Concept

The Volkswagen T-ROC two-door SUV concept with removable roof halves, is one down from the Tiguan in the Golf format powered by a 181 horsepower turbodiesel engine mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission with three different operating modes: “Street”, “Offroad” and “Snow” for the 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system. More next week from Geneva.

Consumer Reports 2014 Top Picks - Tesla S Overall Winner

Consumer Reports 2014 Top Picks is an exceptional, well-­rounded vehicle, chosen from more than 260 that have been recently tested. They have excelled in testing, are reliable, and have performed well in independent crash tests.

Best overall: Tesla Model S - Price as tested: $89,650
Small SUV: Subaru Forester - Price as tested: $26,814
Midsized sedan: Honda Accord (4-cyl.) - Price as tested: $23,270
Compact car: Subaru Impreza - Prices as tested: Sedan $21,345, hatchback $22,345
Midsized SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe - Price as tested: $36,290
Green car: Toyota Prius - Price as tested: $26,750
Pickup truck: Ram 1500 - Price as tested: $42,810
Luxury car: Audi A6 - Price as tested: $56,295
Sports sedan: BMW 328i - Price as tested: $43,195
Minivan: Honda Odyssey - Price as tested: $36,830

For more detailed information go to Consumer Reports website.

All-New Third Generation Audi TT Debuts In Geneva

The new third generation Audi TT will be making its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show in less than two weeks and 14 years after the TT model was first introduced.

100 years of Maserati At The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance

The seventh annual Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance celebrated 100 years of Maserati history, in conjunction with the Legends of Riverside and Riverside International Automotive Museum at the Desert Princess Country Club in the Coachella Valley.

As we recently saw at the Los Angeles Auto Show and during the Super Bowl, Maserati is making a marketing push. The introduction of the more affordable Maserati Ghibli has already attracted increased interest in the brand.

Audi S3 Cabriolet Coming To Dealers In Germany This Summer

The Audi S3 Cabriolet four-seater convertible has a 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.0 TFSI engine mated to an S tronic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive good for 33 mpg when it arrives in dealerships in Germany this summer starting at €48,500 euros or about $66,550 US dollars.

Volkswagen Golf GTE Plug-in Hybrid Debuts In Geneva

The new Golf GTE plug-in hybrid has a 148 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection TSI® engine and a 101 horsepower electric motor for a stated system power of 201 horsepower and a combined fuel economy rating of 157 mpg with an all-electric range of 31 miles along with an overall range of 584 miles. The GTE sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 135 mph.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Will Make Geneva Debut

The new front-wheel-drive BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with new three and four cylinder turbocharged engines, a package of BMW EfficientDynamics technology and BMW ConnectedDrive makes its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in a few weeks. The BMW 218i Active Tourer has 136 horsepower 1.5 liter  three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The BMW 225i Active Tourer has a 231 horsepower four-cylinder engine. The BMW 218d Active Tourer has a 150 horsepower four-cylinder diesel engine.

All-New Volkswagen Scirocco Coming to Europe In August

The new Volkswagen Scirocco and Scirocco R, 40 years after the model's first debut, will be shown in Geneva in two weeks and launched in Europe in August with six turbo direct injection four-cylinder engines which are up to 19 per cent more economical and ranging from 123 to 276 horsepower. Four are gas engines and two diesel with five having a Stop/Start system as well as a battery regeneration mode. The new Scirocco will be launched initially in Europe from the middle of August and shortly afterwards in other high-volume markets such as China, Argentina, Turkey, Australia, Russia and South Korea.

McLaren 650S Supercar Coming This Spring

The McLaren 650S, inspired by the McLaren P1 and available as a fixed roof Coupé or Spider with a retractable folding hard top, translates to 650 horsepower from a twin turbo V8 engine and the ‘S’ stands for ‘Sport’. The McLaren Airbrake deploys whenever the car senses extra downforce is advisable rather than simply under braking or when manually operated in ‘Aero’ mode. At 150 mph, downforce levels are increased by 24 percent. The McLaren 650S which joins the McLaren 12C and P1 supercars will be shown March 4th at the Geneva Auto Show and go on sale in the Spring.