Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Concept Shows Off New Design

Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE concept with an overall length of 190.8 inches is a five-seater design language preview to a a seven-seater mid-size SUV that VW will start producing at the end of 2016 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The new five-seater plug-in hybrid concept uses a V6 plug-in hybrid drivetrain, with 276-horsepower 3.6 VR6® FSI engine, two electric motors (54 and 114 hp) and all-wheel drive bring the total output of the drive system to 355 horsepower and 280 lb-ft, enough to power the Cross Coupe GTE onto a top speed of 130 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds.

Jaguar XE Sedan Comes To North America Next Year

The all-new Jaguar XE sedan, sitting below the XF and XJ models in the line-up, with a supercharged 340 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. The aluminum-intensive XE is the first model developed from the new JLR modular vehicle architecture and has electric power steering. The Jaguar XE will be equipped with All Surface Progress Control functioning between 2 mph and 19 mph, to control the brake system and powertrain to deliver optimum traction in slippery conditions. The all-new Jaguar XE sedan goes on sale in 2015 in global markets and in 2016 in North America.

2016 Buick Cascada Coming Early Next Year

The 2016 Buick Cascada 2+2 configuration convertible on a 106.1-inch wheelbase with a 200 horsepower direct injection, variable valve timing 1.6L turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission goes on sale in early 2016. The insulated soft-top system opens in 17 seconds at up to 31 mph using an electro-hydraulic power roof system that features multi-layer construction including acoustic and thermal barriers.

All-New Nissan TITAN Pickup Coming Late This Year

The all-new Nissan TITAN full-size pickup, powered by a new 310 horsepower Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel delivering 555 lb-ft of torque, The 2016 TITAN XD will offer an available maximum towing capacity of more than 12,000 pounds (when properly equipped), along with available integrated gooseneck hitch engineered into the frame. The new TITAN XD Crew Cab is the first of three cab configurations, two frame sizes, three powertrain offerings and five grade levels to be available later in the Nissan TITAN lineup. Additional available features include RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides, Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hook-up operation including checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights from outside the vehicle. Also available are Blind Spot Warning and a Front and Rear Sonar System and front and rear NASA-inspired Zero Gravity seats and a large center console designed to serve as a mobile workstation. It is projected to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in late 2015.

All-New Ford GT Goes Into Production Next Year

All-new Ford GT rear-wheel drive, mid-engine supercar with a new 600 horsepower-plus twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6 is made of lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum and goes into production in 2016. The GT is one of more than 12 new Ford Performance vehicles coming by 2020 and joins Focus RS, F-150 Raptor, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT350R in the Ford Performance lineup.

Bentley Has Record Breaking Sales In 2014

Bentley delivered a record breaking 11,020 cars in 2014, a 9 percent increase on 2013's record year. The Americas region led the way with 29 percent of total global deliveries at 3,186 cars up from the 2013 number of 3,140. China closes the gap as the second largest customer region with 2,670 cars delivered in 2014 versus the previous year of 2,191. European deliveries of 1,539 cars was a 4 percent gain over 2013. Bentley’s home market, the UK, delivered 1,387 cars, up from 1,381 cars in 2013. Overall, 87 percent of Bentley’s cars are exported from England to customers around the world.

Middle East record sales of 1,263 cars was up 7 percent and Asia Pacific record deliveries of 669 cars was a 48 percent jump from the previous year driven by success of the two-door Continental GT model line. Japan sales were 306 cars, up 5 percent over 2013.      

The Continental GT V8 S and GT Speed coupe and convertible and Flying Spur V8 all entered the market in 2014 to help boost sales.

2016 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck Coming Soon

2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck will be unveiled in Detroit next week.

Mercedes-Benz Moving U.S. Headquarters From Montvale To Atlanta

Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion

Mercedes-Benz USA will relocate from its primary corporate headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey, home for its U.S. operations for 50 years, to a temporary facility in Atlanta's Central Perimeter starting in July while constructing a new, state-of-the-art Atlanta headquarters expected to be completed in early 2017. The move, which will affect approximately 1,000 employees, will be phased to help minimize any disruption to business operations. Several operational areas will remain in both Montvale and Robbinsville, New Jersey. Atlanta is closer to their port in Brunswick, Georgia, and Tuscaloosa County Alabama manufacturing facility, which accounts for half of the vehicles sold in the U.S.

Lexus GS F Joins High Performance 'F' Line

Lexus GS F four-door performance sedan with a naturally-aspirated 467 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine, that uses both Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles to maximize power and efficiency in given situations, is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual-shifting capabilities. Lexus GS F joins Lexus’ high-performance “F” line that includes the RC F coupe. Both have Torque Vectoring Differential with Standard, Slalom and Track settings. A full introduction is expected next week in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show.

December 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 274,483 vehicles last month for the company’s best December sales in seven years with total sales up 19 percent compared to a year ago. Retail sales were up 23 percent and fleet deliveries were up 6 percent. For 2014, GM sold 2,935,008 vehicles, a 5.3 percent increase over 2013.

Ford Motor Company’s U.S. sales totaled 2,480,942 vehicles in 2014, flat versus a year ago, primarily due to the all-new F-150 changeover and a planned 15 percent reduction in daily rental sales. Sales totaled 220,671 vehicles in December, up 1 percent from a year ago and the company’s best December sales since 2005.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported December 2014 sales of 215,057, an increase of 12.7 percent from December 2013. For the year TMS reported sales of 2,373,771 vehicles, a 6.2 percent increase. Toyota Division posted December 2014 sales of 175,178, up 12.2 percent and for the year, Toyota Division sales of 2,062,382 were up 5.1 percent. Lexus December sales were 39,879, up 14.7 percent, bringing the 2014 total to 311,389, a 13.7 percent gain over 2013.

FCA US (Chrysler, Jeep®, Ram Truck and FIAT) reported U.S. sales of 193,261, a 20 percent increase compared with sales in December 2013 and the best December sales since 2004. For 2014, sales were 2,090,639, a 16 percent increase over 2013.

American Honda reported December sales of 137,281, a gain of 1 percent bringing overall 2014 vehicle sales of 1,540,872, the second-best result in company history and an increase of 1.0 percent for the year. Honda Division had record sales of 1,373,029 vehicles for 2014 and Acura Division sales were 167,843, a 1.5 percent rise.

Nissan announced total U.S. sales for December 2014 of 117,318 units, an increase of 6.9 percent compared to last year and a December record. For calendar year 2014, Nissan set an all-time record with 1,386,895 total U.S. sales, an increase of 11.1 percent over 2013.

Hyundai Motor America announced a record December sales month of 64,507, up 2.4 percent versus the record-setting period in 2013. This is the fifth consecutive year of record U.S. sales up over the previous year and totaling 725,718, up 0.7 percent from 2013.

Kia Motors America capped a record-setting year with best-ever December sales of 45,587 vehicles, up 35.6 percent over the same period in 2013 and the highest annual sales total in company history of 580,234 vehicles, up 8.4 percent year-over-year and 4.0 percent over the previous record set in 2012. 

Subaru of America reported sales for December 2014 of 49,923 vehicles, marking the best December ever for the company with an increase of 24 percent over December 2013 and Subaru reported record sales of 513,693 vehicles for the 2014 calendar year, an increase of 21 percent for the sixth consecutive record and the largest ever single-year increase in volume for the brand.

Volkswagen of America reported 34,058, up 0.1 percent delivered in December, with 366,970 delivered in 2014, down 10 percent. Separately, Audi reported that its U.S. sales in 2014 increased 15.2 percent from the previous annual record in 2013 to 182,011 vehicles sold. December 2014 sales increased 13.1 percent to 19,238 vehicles.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported December sales of 48,141 vehicles, an increase of 9.5 percent from the same month a year ago. At year end, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up 5.3 percent on sales of 395,850 compared to 2013, a new record for the BMW Group U.S.

Mercedes-Benz delivered best-ever December sales of 34,009, up 3 percent compared to December 2013 for record-breaking 2014 sales of 330,391, up 5.7 percent from 2013. Adding, Sprinter and smart sales, Mercedes-Benz USA December sales totaled 38,270 for a best-ever year-to-date grand total of 366,589, a 6.7 percent rise from last year.  

Mazda North American Operations reported December U.S. sales of 24,808 vehicles, an increase of 8.0 percent versus last year bringing the 2014 U.S. total to 305,801, up 7.7 percent over 2013 and the best result since 1994.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported December sales of 6,545, a 1.9 percent increase from year ago December with total 2014 vehicle sales of 77,643, a 24.8 percent increase over 2013.

Jaguar Land Rover North America reported December 2014 U.S. sales: Land Rover sales reached 5,754 flat versus December 2013; Jaguar sales were 1,683, up 9 percent from December 2013. Jaguar Land Rover North America December U.S. sales for both brands hit 7,437, a 2 percent increase from December 2013. For the full year 2104, Jaguar Land Rover U.S. sales were 67,238, a gain of 0.4 percent compared to 2013. For the full year 2014 the Land Rover brand established an all-time annual high for U.S. sales of 51,465.

Volvo Cars of North America reported December U.S. sales of 4,920, a 0.7 increase from December 2013. For the full year, VCNA sold 56,366, a 7.9 percent decrease from 2013.

Porsche Cars North America announced 3,275 vehicles were delivered in December for a 2014 total of 47,007, an increase of 11.1 percent over 2013.


Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Alfa Romeo 4C Launches Sexy Marketing Campaign

The new Alfa Romeo 4C launches sexy marketing campaign: Alfa Romeo USA | Experience the 4C .

The Alfa Romeo 4C, is rear wheel drive powered in a single carbon fiber body with a new, mid-engine 1750cc direct injection, 237 horsepower turbocharged I4 engine, entirely made of aluminum, with a peak torque of 258 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed Twin-Clutch Transmission. This system works like two transmissions in parallel, each with its own clutch. The next gear is selected while the previous gear is still engaged, eliminating discontinuity of power. The Alfa Romeo 4C has a top speed of 160 mph and accelerates from 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe has a starting MSRP of $53,900 and the 4C Coupe Launch Edition has a starting MSRP of $68,400.

New MINI John Cooper Works To Debut In Detroit

The new MINI John Cooper Works with a powerful 4-cylinder turbo engine, a sports suspension including Brembo sports brake system and exclusive John Cooper Works light alloy wheels will make its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January.

2015 Audi RS 5 Coupe Sport Edition - 75 At $87,575 Each

The 2015 Audi RS 5 Coupe Sport edition has a 450 horsepower 4.2-liter V8 and a seven-speed S tronic transmission with launch control program taking it from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds amd to an electronically-governed top speed of 174 mph. The 2015 RS 5 Coupe Sport edition features 20’’ 5-V-spoke design wheels and red brake calipers, and is available in Daytona Gray pearl effect, Nardo gray and multiple optional paint colors with Crimson Red Fine Nappa leather interior accents. The sport-tuned suspension sits the body 0.8 inches lower than the Audi A5. A total of 75 will be produced with a starting MSRP of $87,575.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V On Sale In Late Summer

The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, the third generation V-Series luxury sports sedan that launched a decade ago, gets 640 horsepower, delivers 630 lb-ft of torque, sprints from  0-60 in 3.7 seconds and hits a top speed of 200 mph from a new supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine mated to Cadillac’s paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission, featuring launch control and Performance Algorithm Shifting. The CTS-V shares the same 114.6-inch wheelbase as the CTS non-V-Series models, but has wider front and rear footprints that enhance grip, reduce body motion and contribute to more direct-feeling steering. The 2016 Cadillac CTS-V launches in late summer.

Acura NSX Production Version To Debut In January

Acura NSX Concept

The production version Acura NSX mid-engine supercar with three-motor, twin-turbocharged Sport Hybrid power will make its world debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show on Jan. 12, 2015. The NSX comes back after being discontinued in 2005.

Check out the video.

New BMW 6 Series and BMW M6 Go On Sale In Q2 2015

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 6 Series and BMW M6 will make their world debuts at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in the form of the new BMW 6 Series Coupe, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, and the BMW M6 Convertible. The BMW 650i Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe are equipped with a BMW TwinPower Turbo V8 that produces 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque and mated to an 8-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission, accelerating from 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds. The BMW 640i Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe use BMW’s TwinPower Turbo inline six, generating 315 horsepower, 330 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed Steptronic sport automatic transmission, accelerating from 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds. The M6 Coupe and Gran Coupe using a 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 engine which generates 560 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, will accelerate  from 0 to 60 mph in about four seconds (4.3 seconds for the M6 Convertible). The BMW M6 transfers the engine’s power to the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic. BMW 6 Series vehicles will arrive in US showrooms in the second quarter of 2015.

2016 Kia Sorento Goes On Sale In January

The all-new 2016 Kia Sorento, available in L, LX, EX, SX and SXL trim levels, is 3.1 inch longer with 109.4-inch wheelbase and is slightly wider at 74.4 inches than its predecessor model to help accommodate a third row of seats. The 2016 Sorento offers three engines, including a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, a 3.3-liter V6 and an improved 185 horsepower 2.4-liter normally aspirated inline-4 engine with new Electronic Intake Continuously Variable Valve Timing. All three engines are mated to an electronically controlled six-speed automatic gearbox featuring Sportmatic® shifting.

The 2016 Sorento has available Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score.  The new UVO system, includes Siri® “Eyes Free”5 and Local Search powered by Google® for finding locations, addresses and points of interest. U.S. sales begin in January 2015. My 2007 Sorento is going strong with over 60,000 miles.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC Coupe with a 362 horsepower biturbo V6 engine that produces 384 lb-ft of torque is mated to a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission and has 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. The GLE is formerly the M-Class, the SUV in the E-Class segment. The GLE sports coupe offers the DYNAMIC SELECT dynamic handling control system, the Sports Direct-Steer system and the Driving Assistance package which includes DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with pedestrian detection, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and PRE-SAFE® PLUS. The Parking package with 360° camera and Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC guarantees an excellent overview and problem-free maneuvering into and out of parking spaces. The LED Intelligent Light System which is a standard feature on all models and MAGIC VISION CONTROL is the heated, adaptive windscreen wiper system for adverse weather conditions. The GLE Coupe and GLE AMG looks like Mercedes-Benz answer to the BMW X6 and X6 M.

Aston Martin DB10 - The Next James Bond Car - Nov. 6, 2015

James Bond will be driving an Aston Martin DB10, a model developed specifically for the next 007 film, Spectre, due for release on November 6, 2015.

2014 LA Auto Show Video: Audi's Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg

The Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro concept is hydrogen fuel cell, plug-in electric hybrid vehicle with a range of 310.7 miles on one tank of fuel with an exhaust emission of a few drops of water. The Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro has 170 kilowatts of electric drive power driving two electric motors to drive all four wheels. The 2016 Audi TT also debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at Audi discusses the new TT sports car and the Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro concept vehicles.