2017 Audi S4 With 354 Horsepower Coming Next Year

The new 2017 Audi S4 with a newly developed 354 horsepower 3.0 TFSI V6 engine mated to a new eight-speed tiptronic transmission accelerates 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The fully digital instrument cluster displays all key information on a high-resolution 12.3 inch screen using detailed graphics. The driver can choose between three views,  one of them is an exclusive Sport screen, which moves the rev counter into the center. The S4 model has the MMI operating system similar to the latest smartphones, including the intelligent free text search function. MMI offers the driver three operating methods: voice control, the new multifunction steering wheel, or the terminal on the center console. On the top infotainment system, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and 8.3 inch monitor, the rotary pushbutton features an integrated touch pad for zooming and scrolling, and for entering characters. The all-new A4 and S4 are expected to go on sale in the U.S. market in 2016.

Toyota C-HR Concept Hybrid May Become Reality

The Toyota C-HR concept compact hybrid crossover has been updated and may go into production in the not-so-distant future.

Nissan Gripz Concept

The Nissan Gripz Concept is equipped with an EV technology based Series hybrid system "Pure Drive e-Power" with a gasoline engine used to power the electric motor found in the Nissan LEAF. There is no B-pillar, allowing easy access to the 2+2 interior.

Mazda KOERU Crossover Concept

The all-new Mazda KOERU (means “exceed” or “go beyond” in Japanese) crossover concept adopts the latest SKYACTIV technologies.

Audi e-tron quattro concept Electric SUV Coming In 2018

The Audi e-tron quattro concept uses one electric motor to drive the front axle and two others act on the rear axle for a total output of 429 horsepower, sprints from  a standstill to 62.1 mph in 4.6 seconds and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 130.5 mph. “Audi will present an all-electric, luxury-class sport SUV in early 2018. The Audi e-tron quattro concept provides a concrete foretaste of this,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Audi Board of Management for Technical Development.

Mercedes-Benz "Concept IAA" All-Electric 4-Door Coupé

The Mercedes-Benz "Concept IAA" (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) four-door coupé which switches automatically from design mode to aerodynamic mode when the vehicle reaches a speed of 50 mph, is powered by a gas/electric plug-in hybrid drive with a total output of 279 horsepower with a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited) and an all-electric range of 41 miles.

New Generation Volkswagen Tiguan Coming Next Fall

The new generation Volkswagen Tiguan, more than 110 pounds lighter, 2.4 inches longer and 1.2 inches wider compared to the previous model, has two different length wheelbases, with the "long" Tiguan to be introduced to specific markets starting in the Fall of 2016. There are a total of eight Euro-6 compliant engines, all of which have turbocharging, direct injection, a stop-start system and battery regeneration as standard. There are four TSI® gasoline engines with front-wheel drive and available  all-wheel drive powertrains either as an option or as standard. Compared to the previous model with Euro-5 engines, the four-cylinder engines in the new Tiguan are up to 24 per cent more fuel-efficient. Compared to previous Tiguans with Euro-6 engines, there is up to 10 percent better fuel efficiency. We'll know more about U.S.-configured vehicles closer to the sales date.

2016 Camaro SS On Sale This Fall For $37,295

The 2016 Camaro SS with an all-new, 455 horsepower 6.2L V-8 engine is 223 pounds lighter sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds, when equipped with the all-new eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. The other Gen Six Camaro coupe models have either a 275 horsepower 2.0L Turbo with the six-speed manual transmission or a 335 horsepower 3.6L V-6 with the eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2016 Camaro goes on sale this Fall, with a suggested retail price of $26,695 for the Camaro LT and $37,295 for the SS.

2016 Toyota Prius - The 4th Generation

The all-new fourth-generation 2016 Toyota Prius is 2.4 inches longer, 0.6 inches wider and 0.8 inches lower than the model it replaces. The Prius will be among the first U.S. models to offer Toyota Safety Sense, a new multi-feature advanced safety package including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Automatic High Beams. Not much more info other than 350 journalists were wined and dined in Las Vegas.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport - Special Edition Golf

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is a special edition with a 261 horsepwoer turbocharged, direct-injection engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or the optional 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The manual transmission car has fuel consumption of 33.8 mpg and with the DSG, fuel economy improves to 34.8 mpg.

Bentley Bentayga SUV Coming Early Next Year

The Bentley Bentayga SUV with an all-new 600 horsepower 12-cylinder engine that uses both direct and indirect fuel injection delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph will start being delivered in early 2016.

Features include a full-length panoramic sunroof, up to eight modes of Drive Dynamics for any surface or road condition, Bentley Dynamic Ride (electrically activated 48V active roll control) and Electric Power-Assisted Steering, Adaptive Cruise Control including Stop & Go, predictive ACC and Traffic Assist that enables the driver to maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. Traffic Sign Recognition detects a wide variety of traffic signs and displays information to the driver. Rear Crossing Traffic Warning uses radar technology to detect crossing traffic when reversing out of a parking space. Top View uses four cameras to display an overall picture of the vehicle’s surroundings. Park Assist detects suitable parking spaces (both parallel and perpendicular) before autonomous steering takes over to support parking manoeuvres, even in narrow and tricky spaces.
Electronic Night Vision uses infra-red technology identifies potential obstacles ahead, and a Head-Up Display reduces driver distraction and increases safety.

Rolls-Royce Dawn Convertible

The new Rolls-Royce Dawn four-seater convertible is powered by a 563 horsepower twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 powertrain and mated to an 8-speed ZF transmission. The fabric roof takes 22 seconds to move up or down at a cruising speed of up to 30 mph.

Porsche 911 Carrera Enhanced For March 2016 U.S. Delivery

The new Porsche 911 Carrera gets new turbocharged engines with a 20 horsepower increase with the 3.0 liter engine in the standard Carrera now 370 horsepower and the 911 Carrera S 420 horsepower and for the first time, rear-axle steering is available as an option for the Carrera S. Also new are headlights with four-point daytime running lights to integrated door handle recesses, a redesigned rear deck lid with vertical louvers, and new rear lights including four-point brake lights.

The new Porsche 911 Carrera models will be launched in the United States in March of 2016 with an MSRP for the 911 Carrera at $89,400, Carrera S $102,400, Carrera Cabriolet $101,700 and the Carrera S Cabriolet $115,700.

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Concept To Be At Frankfurt Auto Show

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo concept developed with Polyphony Digital, creator of the Gran Turismo video game franchise, as a real show car for Bugatti fans, car enthusiasts and gamers will be on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Jaguar F-PACE Compact SUV Goes On Sale In The Spring In U.S.

The all-new 2017 Jaguar F-PACE, a five seater luxury SUV, with a ground clearance of 8.4-inches and choice of a 3.0l 340 horsepower supercharged gasoline V6 engine priced from $42,390 or, exclusive to the F-PACE S model, a 380 horsepower supercharged gasoline V6 engine priced from $56,700. Both V6 engines are mated to an 8-speed transmission with power being routed to all four wheels via a torque-on-demand all-wheel drive system. Later in 2016, a 180 horsepower four cylinder Ingenium diesel engine will be added to the model lineup priced from $40,990. The all-new F-PACE range will consist of: F-PACE, F-PACE Premium, F-PACE Prestige, F-PACE R-Sport, F-PACE S and F-PACE First Edition (available in limited numbers, in the first year of production only). F-PACE offers 18-inch wheels to 22-inch wheels which were developed for the F-PACE by the Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations division from forged aluminum to make them lighter and stiffer. The all-new 2017 Jaguar F-PACE goes on sale in the U.S. beginning Spring 2016.

Tesla Model X SUV Starts At $133,200 On Sept. 29

From Tesla Motors Club

From @elonmusk tweet

August 2015 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors' Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands sold 270,480 vehicles in the United States in August 2015, a drop of 0.7 percent from August 2014. Year-to-date sales of 2,048,537 is a 3.2 percent gain. Cadillac sales of 15,738 is a 5.5 percent decline while year-to-date sales of 100,094 is a 5 percent drop from a year ago.

Ford Motor Company delivered its best August U.S. sales in nine years with sales of 234,237 vehicles, a 5.4 percent increase while year-to-date sales 1,750,589, a 2.7 percent gain. Lincoln sold 8,636 vehicle in August a 6 percent gain and for the year 65,284 is up 7.9 percent over 2014.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported August 2015 sales of 224,381, a decrease of 8.8 percent from August 2014. Toyota Division posted August 2015 sales of 190,894, down 10.5 percent. Lexus reported August sales of 33,487, up 2.1 percent from August 2014 and year-to-date sales of 222,151 is 11.7 percent higher than last year.

FCA US (Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat, Alfa Romeo) reported U.S. sales of 201,672, a 2 percent increase compared with sales in August 2014 for the best August sales since 2002. Year-to-date sales of 1,461,842, up 5 percent from last year.

American Honda reported August 2015 sales of 155,491 Honda and Acura vehicles, a decrease of 6.9 percent over August 2014, when the industry had one additional selling day and an early Labor Day weekend. The Honda Division sold a total of 140,178, a 7.5 percent drop from last August while Acura reported 15,313 vehicles sold in August, a 1.1 percent decline. Year-to-date American Honda sales of 1,054,816 is a 1.2 percent rise over 2014.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for August 2015 of 133,351, a decrease of 1 percent over the prior year. Year-to-date Nissan Group sales of 1,000,706 is a 4.2 percent gain over last year. Nissan division sales of 122,716 is a 2 percent drop from a year ago and year-to-date sales of  915,358 is a 3.6 percent gain over 2014. Infinti August sales of 10,635 is a 16.1 percent jump over August 2014 and year-to-date Infiniti sales of 85,348 is 10.8 percent higher versus eight months of 2014.

Hyundai Motor America posted its best August ever, with 72,012 vehicles sold, up 2.9 percent compared to August 2014. Year-to-date sales of 514,175 is 2.5 percent higher than 2014 through August.

Kia Motors America reported best-ever August sales of 58,897 vehicles, a 7.7-percent increase over the same period last year and the brand’s fourth straight monthly sales record. Year-to-date Kia sales are 426,160, up 5.4 percent.

Subaru of America reported 52,679 vehicle sales for August 2015, a 4.9 percent increase over August 2014, the best-ever sales month in company history, breaking the previous record set in July 2015. Subaru also reported year-to-date sales of 375,632 vehicles, a 12.5 percent gain over the same period in 2014.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 32,332 in August 2015, 8.1 percent lower than a year ago while year-to-date sales of 238,074 is a 2.8 percent drop from 2014. Separately, Audi achieved its best-ever August sales in the U.S. with 17,101 vehicles sold. Through the first eight months of 2015, Audi U.S. sales are 116,066 vehicles, up 12.1 percent from last year.

BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported August sales of 32,864 vehicles, an increase of 2.0 percent from the 32,219 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are 263,908 vehicles, a 7.3 percent increase from the same period last year. Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 2.0 percent in August for a total of 27,755, a new August record, compared to August, 2014. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales are 223,348 vehicles, a 5.9 percent increase from the same period last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported all-time record August sales of 31,250, an increase of 3.2 percent from the same month last year. The Mercedes-Benz brand tallied 28,373, a 4.8 percent increase over August 2014. Sprinter delivered 2,260 sales for the month of August, up 15.3 percent for the year, while smart recorded sales of  617 in August. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz retails totaled 220,870, up 7.3 percent. Adding year-to-date sales of 17,957 for Sprinter Vans and 4,682 for smart, MBUSA posted grand total sales of 243,509 through August.

Mazda North American Operations reported August U.S. sales of 29,938 vehicles, representing a decrease of 4.4 percent versus last year. Year-to-date, Mazda has sold 216,091 vehicles, down 0.4 percent.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported August 2015 sales of 8,289, an increase of 22.1 percent from August 2014 for the brand's 18th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases. Year-to-date sales of 65,701 are up 24.4 percent over the same period in 2014.

Jaguar Land Rover North America reported August 2015 U.S. sales for both brands of 6,368, a 12 percent increase from August 2014. Land Rover sales reached 5,225, up 16 percent and Jaguar sales were 1,143, down 3 percent from August 2014. Year-to-date 2015, Jaguar Land Rover U.S. sales hit 52,769, an increase of 15 percent over 2014.

Volvo U.S. sales of 5,870 represents a 18.3 per cent increase versus the same month last year. Year-to-date sales of 40,854 is a 4.2 percent gain over last year.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Hyundai To Showcase High Performance N Sub-Brand In Frankfurt

Hyundai will showcase its high performance sub-brand N at the Frankfurt Auto Show September 15th with the New Generation i20 WRC (World Rally Championship) car, the first prototype for the vehicle. The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept highlights sustainable technology and race car design.

Hyundai RM15 concept car represents how the Hyundai N driver-focused technologies could come into production. The mid-engine concept, with a 296 horsepower 2.0-liter engine. Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept is a new project by Hyundai coming exclusively to PlayStation®’s Gran Turismo video game series.

smart fortwo cabrio Coming To U.S. Early Next Summer

The new smart fortwo cabrio, with the same 89 horsepower three- cylinder engine as the coupe, can be combined with the five-speed manual transmission or the fully automatic twinamic dual clutch transmission. At the touch of a button its 19.4 sq-ft sliding canvas sunroof soft top completely opens in twelve seconds and removable roof bars can be stowed on the inside of the tailgate. With the 3-button key the soft top can also be opened from outside the car by remote control. The rear windscreen is heated and is made of glass. The torsional strength has been improved by around 15 percent compared with the predecessor. The open-top two-seater in pure (standard), passion, prime and proxy trim levels, will make its world premiere in a few weeks at the Frankfurt Auto Show and will launch in the U.S. in early summer of 2016.

2016 Hyundai Accent Sedan and Hatchback Starts At $15,570 This Month

The 2016 Hyundai Accent Sedan and Hatchback (above), powered by an all-aluminum 137 horsepower 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission gets up to 27 mpg city and up to 38 mpg highway EPA-estimated fuel economy. The Accent, which also offers a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission w/ SHIFTRONIC®, receives minor changes, including trim name changes from GLS and GS to Accent SE Sedan and Accent SE Hatchback. Accent Hatchback continues to offer a Sport trim, with sportier visual cues and driving dynamics over the SE trim. Accent offers a standard 6-speaker, 172-watt audio system. The 2016 Accent arrives in dealerships this month at a starting price of $15,570 (includes freight charge of $825).