Sunday, April 5, 2015

2016 Kia Optima Coming With 3 Engine Choices In The 4th Quarter


The all-new 2016 Kia Optima wheelbase has been extended 0.4 inches to 110.4 inches and widened by an inch to 73.2 inches with a new 178 horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Carrying over are the 185 horsepower 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder, available on the LX and EX models, and the 247 horsepower 2.0-liter GDI turbo engine, available on the SXL and SX Turbo models, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic® shifting while the SX and SXL trims add paddle shifters. The all-new 2016 Kia Optima will come in LX, LX Turbo, EX, SX Turbo and SXL trim levels when sales begin in the fourth quarter of 2015. As with its predecessor, the all-new Optima will be built at Kia’s plant* in West Point, Georgia.  Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date.

Subaru STI Performance Concept Signals More High Performance Coming


The Subaru STI Performance Concept signifies a plan for U.S.-expansion of Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the performance division of Subaru, in its three core business areas: aftermarket parts, STI-tuned cars and motorsports.

2016 Scion iM Arrives This Fall


The all-new 2016 Scion iM has a 137 horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder DOHC Valvematic engine mated to a standard 6-speed stick shift transmission and comes with eight standard airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag and a front passenger seat cushion airbag. The all-new 2016 Scion iM arrives in dealerships this Fall, starting under $20,000. The Scion iM Concept debuted at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

2016 Scion iA Coming This Fall


The 2016 Scion iA sedan has a high-compression 106 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions delivering manufacturer-estimated fuel economy ratings of 33 city / 42 highway / 37 combined MPG. The Scion iA comes with a Low-speed Pre-collision system that uses a laser sensor to help the driver avoid collisions and to help minimize damage in the event of an accident. A rear view back-up camera is also standard. The new 2016 Scion iA will arrive in dealerships this Fall for an estimated MSRP in the $16,000-range.

Porsche Boxster Spyder Coming In October For $83,095


Porsche Boxster Spyder has a 375 horsepower 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that takes it  from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and to a top track speed of 180 mph. The new Boxster Spyder will be launched in the U.S. market in October and can now be ordered at dealerships. In the United States, the MSRP is $83,095 (including a $995 destination charge).

2016 Cadillac CT6 Coming At Year End


The 2016 Cadillac CT6, one of eight all-new vehicles the brand will launch by the end of the decade, sits on a 122.4-inch wheelbase and offers an all-new Cadillac 3.0L Twin Turbo engine at an estimated 400 horsepower, a new 335 horsepower 3.6L V-6 naturally aspirated engine or a 265 horsepower 2.0L I-4 turbocharged engine, all mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Production of the 2016 Cadillac CT6 begins at the end of 2015 for the North American market.

2016 Jaguar XF Coming This Winter


The all-new second generation 2016 Jaguar XF large luxury sedan featuring Jaguar aluminum-intensive construction will be offered in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, with a choice between a 340 horsepower or a 380 horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine available with one of two eight-speed automatic ZF® transmissions. The 2016 XF sedan launches in Winter 2015.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu Coming In 4th Quarter This Year


Chevrolet introduced its ninth generation all-new 2016 Malibu midsize sedan, completely restyled and engineered to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features is four inches longer and nearly 300 pounds lighter than the current model. The all-new 2016 Malibu offers a 182 horsepower hybrid powertrain with a direct-injection 1.8L four-cylinder engine mated to a two-motor drive unit that has been slightly modified from the 2016 Chevrolet Volt to provide a GM-estimated 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway for 47 mpg combined. The Malibu’s standard 160 horsepower 1.5L turbo powertrain is projected to offer 37 mpg highway. There's also a 250 horsepower 2.0L turbo mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The new Malibu will be offered in L, LS, LT and Premier trims, as well as the Hybrid model and goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2015.

2016 Lexus RX Is Longer With More Horsepower


The all-new 2016 Lexus RX, 4.7 inches longer than the current model, has a more powerful 300 horsepower 3.5-liter direct injection V6 engine mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. That's 30 more horsepower than the 2015 model. The RX 450h’s Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 when combined with the electric motor generator also results in around 300 horsepower. The RX has a completely new front end highlighted by a spindle grille, more aggressive front bumper and available triple L-shaped LED headlamps with the all-new LED fog lamps and LED daytime running lights. The RX F SPORT (AWD models only - pictured above), will be available with both models’ engine offerings for the first time.

Friday, April 3, 2015

McLaren 570S Coupé Coming Later This Year


The McLaren 570S Coupé with a 562 horsepower 3.8-liter V8 twin turbo engine will retail from £143,250 ($213,730) while the the 540C Coupe, to be unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month, will start at £126,000 ($187,992). The all-new lightweight carbon fiber chassis, race-derived McLaren Sports Series supercars will commence deliveries later this year.

2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 Starts At $64,825 This Month


The 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S sedans have starting MSRPs of $64,825 (including $925 destination/delivery charge) for the C63 sedan with a 469 horsepower V8 bi-turbo engine and $72,825 for the 503 horsepower C63 S sedan when they launch this month.

March 2015 U.S. Car Sales

General Motors' Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac dealers in the United States delivered 249,875 vehicles in March 2015, down 2.4 percent year over year. Fleet deliveries were up 5 percent and retail deliveries declined 5 percent. Year-to-date GM sales of 182,710 is a 5 percent decline.

Ford Motor Company posted overall sales of 235,929 vehicles, down 3.4 percent. Year-to-date Ford sales of 594,663 is a 2 percent gain over last year. Lincoln division sales 8,695 was down 3.1 percent and year-to-date sales of 21,478 was a 0.6 percent decline.

Toyota Motor Sales reported March 2015 sales of 225,959, an increase of 4.9 percent from March 2014. Toyota division posted March 2015 sales of 194,905, up 4.4 percent and Lexus set a new March sales record of 31,054, up 8.6 percent from March. Year-to-date sales of 575,620 is a 10.5 percent rise over 2014.

FCA US (Chrysler, Jeep®, Ram Truck, Dodge, Fiat) reported U.S. sales of 197,261, a 2 percent increase compared with sales in March 2014, the group’s best March sales since 2007. Year-to-date sales of 505,854 is a 6 percent increase.

Nissan total U.S. sales for March 2015 of 145,085, a 2.7 percent drop from 2014. Nissan division March sales of 132,560 was down 3 percent from a year ago while Infiniti March sales were 12,525, up 0.2 percent over 2014. Year-to-date total sales of 367,628 is a 3.6 percent rise over a year ago.

American Honda reported March 2015 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 126,293, a decrease of 5.3 percent versus March 2014. The Honda Division sold 111,623 vehicles in March, a decrease of 5.2 percent for the month. The Acura brand posted sales of 14,670, down 5.8 percent over the same period last year. Year-to-date total sales of 333,943 is a 2.6 percent gain over last year.

Hyundai Motor America reported its best month ever, selling 75,019 vehicles, up 12 percent versus the same period last year. Year-to-date sales of 172,029 is a 7.5 percent increase over 2014.

Kia Motors America reported record March sales of 58,771 vehicles, up 7.3 percent over the same period last year. Year-to-date sales of 141,100 is a 6.1 percent gain over 2014.

Subaru of America reported record sales for March 2015 totaling 49,111 vehicles, a 10.4 percent gain over March 2014. Year-to-date sales of 131,281 is a 16.8 percent gain over the same period in 2014.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 40,139 vehicles, an increase of 12.2 percent from the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 91,269 for the group is a 12.6 percent increase over last year. BMW brand vehicle sales increased 6.9 percent in March for a total of 34,310 compared to March 2014.

Mazda North American Operations reported March U.S. sales of 32,123 vehicles, representing a decrease of 8.0 percent versus last year. Through March, Mazda has sold 78,044 vehicles year-to-date, a 1.3 percent decline from last year.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 30,025 in March 2015, down 18.2 percent from 2014 and year-to-date sales of 79,239 is a 9.3 percent slide from a year ago. Separately, Audi of America reported that its March 2015 sales increased 20 percent to 17,102 vehicles, the second-best month in U.S. sales. Through the first quarter of 2015, Audi U.S. sales rose 13.8 percent from last year to 40,098 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz reported best-ever March sales of 29,921, increasing 9.2 percent from the same month last year. Retail volumes for Sprinter Vans climbed 24.2 percent to 2,379, combining with 583 units at smart for a March total of 32,883 for Mercedes-Benz USA. Year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz delivered 78,156 vehicles, up 7.6 percent. Adding 5,559 units for Sprinter and 1,533 units for smart, MBUSA achieved a record first-quarter close of 85,248.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported March 2015 vehicle sales of 9,764, an 8.5 percent sales increase from March 2014. Sales in the first quarter of 2015 are up 19.9 percent from the same period last year.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 5,916, steady compared to March 2014. Year-to-date sales are up 0.2 percent over the first quarter of 2014.

Porsche Cars North America announced March 2015 sales of 4,291 vehicles, a 12.7 gain over 2014. Year-to-date sales of 11,430 is 12.8 percent higher than the same period in 2014.

Sales will be updated a manufacturers report.

Monday, March 30, 2015

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Starts At $25,735 This Summer


The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata powered by a 155 horsepower 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine will start at $25,735 (including $820 destination charge) in entry-level Sport trim. The 2016 MX-5 launches this summer and will be available in Sport, Club and Grand Touring trim levels. Mazda's fourth-generation flagship roadster is shorter than the first-generation MX-5 that came to the U.S. in 1989, yet wider than the outgoing model and with its engine lower and farther back in its chassis. The MX-5 has standard features that include a six-speed manual transmission, LED headlights, USB audio input, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a leather-wrapped shift knob and power door locks.

Lincoln Continental Coming Next Year


Lincoln Continental Concept, an all-new full-size sedan coming next year with a new 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost Engine and Lincoln Drive Control that offers a choice of normal, sport and comfort driving modes. Features include an SPD SmartGlass® tinting sunroof blocking 99 percent of UV rays, the premium audio Revel Ultima System, E-Latch door handles, Approach Detection that lights up the car inside and out to greet you, fully reclining rear seats when the empty front passenger seat is repositioned, a rear-seat tablet lap tray that deploys from the center console, interior ambient lighting, a champagne storage compartment, and Venetian leather first-class travel cases. The Concept will debut this week at the New York International Auto Show.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Mercedes-Benz GLE Offers Lots of Engine Choices


The new Mercedes-Benz GLE, formerly ML, is offered as the GLE350 and GLE350 4MATIC with a 302 horsepower V6 engine, the GLE400 4MATIC powered by a 329 horsepower direct-injection twin-turbo V6 engine, the GLE550e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid with the 329 horsepower V6 direct-injection gasoline engine combined with a 114 horsepower electric motor, the GLE300d with a 201 horsepower four-cylinder diesel engine, the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GLE63 4MATIC with a 550 horsepower 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and the GLE63 4MATIC S-model houses a 577 horsepower version of the V8 engine. The towing capacity of the GLE is up to 7700 lbs on non-diesel models.

2016 Range Rover Sport HST


2016 Range Rover Sport HST features a 380 horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine and a new Gesture Tailgate and Automatic Access Height.

Aston Martin Vulcan


Aston Martin Vulcan, a track only, front mid-engine rear-wheel drive sports car with an 800-plus horsepower 7.0-liter V12 engine.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

2016 Chevrolet Malibu To Debut In New York, On Sale End Of The Year


The next-generation 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, using an entirely new architecture is expected to be 300 pounds lighter and sits on a wheelbase nearly four inches longer than the outgoing model increasing rear legroom and interior space. The 2016 Malibu with more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features will debut in early April at the New York International Auto Show and is expected to go on sale by the end of 2015.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

BMW X5 xDrive40e Plug-in Hybrid


The BMW X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid Sports Activity Vehicle, combines the 240 horsepower 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder engine with an 111 horsepower electric motor, powered by a lithium-ion battery, integrated into its 8-speed automatic transmission and goes approximately 13 miles on pure electric power. The BMW X5 xDrive40e goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph. In all-electric drive mode the vehicle is capable of an electronically limited top speed of 75 mph. It takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully recharge an empty battery pack.

All of the optional extras for the BMW X5 range are available, with the exception of the third row of seats, the Adaptive M Suspension, Active Steering and comfort seats in the rear. The BMW X5 xDrive40e options include xLine and Luxury Line for the exterior and interior. The plug-in hybrid model can also be ordered with M Sport as well as the Ivory White and Mocha Interior Design Packages.

New BMW 6 Series Coupé, BMW 1 Series Urban Line, BMW M135i


The new BMW 6 Series Coupé (above)


The new BMW 1 Series Urban Line (above)


The BMW M135i (above)