2017 MINI Countryman Goes On Sale In March

The all-new 2017 MINI Countryman, completely redesigned and reengineered, will be offered as a plug-in hybrid and a Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 powered by both a 221 hosrepower three-cylinder MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology gasoline engine delivering 42 percent more torque than its predecessor and an electric hybrid synchronous motor. The all-new MINI Countryman has a cargo space increase of 30 percent compared to the outgoing generation with sliding, folding rear seats, a high roofline, and an adjustable trunk floor. All three of the new MINI Countryman variants will make their World Premiere at the Los Angeles International Auto Show November 16th. The new MINI Countryman will go on sale in March 2017 at MINI dealers across the U.S. with the MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid following in June 2017.

All-New 2017 Mazda CX-5 Will Debut Nov. 16 At LA Auto Show

The all-new 2017 Mazda CX-5 will make its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public November 18-27.

2018 Volkswagen Atlas Large SUV Coming Next Spring

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is a seven-passenger SUV measuring 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide and 69.6 inches high coming with either a 238 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® four cylinder or a 280 horsepower 3.6-liter VR6 engine mated to an eight-speed transmission in front-wheel-drive or with available 4Motion all-wheel-drive in VR6 trims. Also available is Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane and Parking Steering Assistant. The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, built alongside the Passat at the Volkswagen Chattanooga assembly plant, will launch in the Spring of 2017.

2017 BMW 5 Series Coming In February

The all-new 7th generation 2017 BMW 5 Series is 1.2 inches longer overall on a 0.2 inch longer wheelbase, 0.3 inches wider and 0.6 inches taller, than the outgoing model with a choice of a new 248 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder inline engine in the BMW 530i with 0 to 60 acceleration of 6 seconds to a top speed of 130 mph. The new BMW 540i has 35 more horsepower in a 335 horsepower 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine with a 0 to 60 time of 4.9 seconds and electronically-limited top speed of 130 mph.

All the engines are available at launch with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive. The 2017 BMW 5 Series has the new iDrive 6.0 user interface, gesture control, the latest generation of Head-Up Display, Remote 3D View and an improved Voice Control with natural voice input. The all-new BMW 5 Series will be available at U.S. dealers in February 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch.

2017 Honda CR-V Goes On Sale This Winter

The all-new, fifth-generation 2017 Honda CR-V, is completely redesigned and reengineered has a 190 horsepower 1.5-liter DOHC, direct-injected and turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder engine in EX and higher trims mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Honda G-Shift control logic. CR-V LX trims will be powered by a 2.4-liter DOHC, direct-injected i-VTECÔ engine also mated to the continuously variable transmission.

The CR-V has an all-new body and chassis design and new windswept front end appearance. Available features on the 2017 Honda CR-V include remote engine start, dual-zone climate controls, heated side mirrors, an Electric Parking Brake, rear USB charging ports, front passenger seat with 4-way power adjustment and driver's seat with 8-way power adjustment, 4-way power lumbar support and heated front seats and hands-free access power tailgate.

Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking with Forward Collision Warning and pedestrian sensing capability, Road Departure Mitigation with Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with low-speed follow and Lane Keeping Assist. Additional new driver-assistive technologies include the available Blind Spot Information, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Auto High Beam headlights. The 2017 CR-V goes on sale this winter.

Orange County Auto Show Offers Ride and Drives

What To See In OC This Weekend

Take a test drive on the streets around the Anaheim Convention Center or bounce around on the rugged terrain inside at Camp Jeep.

This Chevrolet Camaro 2SS with a 640 horsepower supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission is priced at $54,780.

Hyundai's new luxury Genesis brand displays the Genesis G90 (left) both the 365 horsepower 3.3 liter V6 that starts at $68,100 and 420 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 that starts at $69,700 and the Genesis G80 (in the background) with its 311 horsepower 3.8 liter V6 that starts at $41,400.

Maserati Levante SUV with its 350 horsepower 3.0L twin-turbo GDI V6 starts at $72,000.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan will get an EPA-expected 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in the city with an all-electric range of 30 miles.

Subaru WRX STI Limited/w wing/HUV 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged/intercooled BOXER enginemated to a 6-speed manual transmission starts at $35,195, this one costs $41,374.

2016 Ford Focus RS all-wheel-drive is powered by a 350-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine.

For the first time there's a commercial truck display at the OC Auto Show.

There's a basement full of exotics, like this Ferrari, to feed your dreams or drain your wallet.

The Orange County Auto Show opened yesterday and runs through Sunday.

Rinspeed Oasis EV Concept Coming To CES In January

The Oasis two-seat self-driving electric concept vehicle, created by Rinspeed's Swiss boss Frank Rinderknecht, offers an interior like a modern-day family room with armchair, sideboard, TV, and a multifunctional steering wheel and the windshield also serves as a screen for virtual as well as augmented reality. Oasis will be on display at CES in Las Vegas in January 2017.

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF Coming In Early 2017 Starting At $32,390

The 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF (Retractable Fastback) two seater with a 155 horsepower 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G direct-injection engine paired with either a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT manual transmission or six-speed automatic transmission starts from $32,390 (including $835 for destination and handling). The Retractable Fastback has a 4.6-inch full-color TFT gauge and the availability of Machine Gray Metallic paint in substitution of Meteor Gray Mica that is available on the soft top. For 2017, all MX-5 Club models will come standard with Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, regardless of their roof option. Presale orders are being taken as production just began for North American and European markets, where sales launches begin in early 2017.

September 2016 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac) sold 249,795 vehicles, down 0.6 percent. Year-to-date sales of 2,212,397 is a 3.8 percent decline from a year ago.

Ford and Lincoln U.S. September sales totaled 204,447 vehicles, a 7.7 percent decline versus a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 1,988,456 is a gain of 0.8 percent from a year ago.

Toyota Motor Sales (including Lexus) reported September 2016 sales of 197,260, an increase of 1.5 percent from September 2015. Toyota Division posted September sales of 171,459, up 1.4 percent. Year-to-date sales of 1,822,419 is down 2.4 percent.

FCA US (Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo) reported U.S. sales of 192,883 units, a 1 percent decrease compared with sales in September 2015. Year-to-date sales of 1,714,360 is up 4 percent from a year ago.

American Honda (including Acura) reported September sales of 133,655 Honda and Acura vehicles, a 0.1 percent decrease from September 2015. Honda Division set a new September mark, gaining 1.5 percent on total sales of 120,842. Year-to-date American Honda sales of 1,228,380 is up 3.3 percent from 2015.

Nissan Group (Nissan and Infiniti) total U.S. sales for September 2016 of 127,797, is an increase of 4.9 percent over the prior year and a September record. Year-to-date sales of 1,183,024 is a 5.4 percent increase over 2015.

Hyundai Motor America posted its best September ever, with sales of 66,610, up 4 percent year-over-year. Year-to-date sales of 587,688 is a 1.6 percent gain over 2015.

Kia Motors America September sales of 49,220 was down 1.2 percent from a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 491,764 are up 3.3 percent.

Subaru of America reported 54,918 vehicle sales for September 2016, a 3.5 percent increase over September 2015 while year-to-date sales of 446,887 vehicles is a 4.2 percent gain over the same period in 2015.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported best-ever September sales of 29,500 vehicles, increasing 1.7 percent from the same month last year. Mercedes-Benz Vans also reported best-ever September sales with 2,970 up 28.2 percent and smart reported 605, bringing MBUSA total sales to 33,075 vehicles for the month, up 3.1 percent from last year. On a year-to-date basis, Mercedes-Benz retails totaled 249,204. Adding year-to-date-sales of 25,156 for Vans and 4,044 for smart, MBUSA posted a sales total of 278,404 increasing 1 percent from the previous year.

Sales of BMW brand vehicles of 25,389 was a decrease of 4.6 percent in September. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales are 249,956, down 7.9 percent.

Mazda North American Operations reported September U.S. sales of 24,889 vehicles, a decrease of 2.8 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales through September are 224,267 vehicles, down 7.2 percent.

Volkswagen of America reported September sales of 24,112, a 7.8 percent drop from a year ago. Year-to-date sales of 231,268 is a 12.5 percent decline from a year ago. Separately, Audi reported sales for September increased 1.6 percent to 17,617 vehicles, while year-to-date sales have risen 3.2 percent to 152,179.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported September 2016 sales of 7,191, down 4.8 percent from September of 2015. Sales for the year of 74, 351 are up at 1.5 percent over the previous year.

Volvo Car USA, reported U.S. sales of 5,615 vehicles, a 1.6 percent increase versus September 2015. Year-to-date sales of 58,532 are up 26.2 percent year-over-year.

Porsche Cars North America announced an all-time September sales record of 4,479 vehicles, up 1.2 percent compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date retail sales stand at 40,246 vehicles, up 2.4 percent compared to last year.

Garia Luxury Electric Golf Carts Use Lithium Batteries

Garia, the high-end Danish golf car manufacturer, has released a new Golf model (above left) that weighs 880 lbs. including batteries. Garia’s lithium batteries offer benefits of having no maintenance, reduced weight resulting in less turf compaction, overall lower cost of ownership, a 5-year battery warranty, and a battery life of 10 years, double conventional electric cart lead-acid batteries.

The $50,000 Mercedes Benz Style Edition Garia Golf Car (above right) which debuted at The Open in Scotland in mid-June, was recently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Garia is a privately held company, founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Denmark, with a subsidiary in the U.S. and Sales offices in UK and Asia Pacific. Garia golf cart prices start at $15,000.

Energica Eva High Performance Electric Motorcycle For $34,000

Energica Eva has a 95 horsepower permanent magnet AC oil cooled motor without a clutch or transmission providing seamless acceleration similar to a Tesla car. Energica Eva has a range up to 124 miles (ECO mode) and can reach a top speed of 124 mph in Sport mode. Each component assembled on the $34,000 Eva is made by double layer carbon fiber, three layers for specific reinforced parts, autoclaved. It comes in electric green or dark blue. The streetfighter is fully compatible with commercial recharging stations or can be charged at home. Energica Eva is the only electric streetfighter in the world with an integrated fast charge system on board.

On sale since early July at Galleria Energica at 53 Page Street in San Francisco, orders can be made online at: http://www.energicamotor.com/en/configuratore/EA

Energica, a subsidiary of 46-year old high-performance auto supplier CRP Group, is the first Italian manufacturer of supersport electric motorcycles and are manufactured in Modena, Italy.

Mercedes-Benz "Generation EQ" Concept

Mercedes-Benz "Generation EQ" concept vehicle, with four individual seats, is powered by 402 horsepower in two electric motors on the front and rear axles and a battery in the vehicle floor, with a range of up to 310 miles. "Generation EQ" accelerates to 62 mph in under five seconds.

Volkswagen I.D. Concept Car Arrives In 2020

The Volkswagen I.D. concept car, the first Volkswagen built off the Modular Electric Drive kit, uses a 168-horsepower electric motor and has a range of between 249 and 373 miles on a single battery charge with zero to 62 mph acceleration in less than 8 seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. The rapid charging system brings the battery to 80 percent charged after just 30 minutes. I.D. is the first Volkswagen that is capable of fully automated driving. It is due to go on sale in 2020, fueling Volkswagen's goal of selling a million electric cars a year by 2025.

BMW Concept X2

BMW Concept X2 makes its world premiere.

Honda Civic Type R Prototype Coming Next Year

The new Honda Civic Type R Prototype, with styling insight into the next-generation Civic Type R, will make its North American debut at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 1-4, 2016, marking the arrival of the first-ever Honda-badged Type R in the U.S. It will be officially unveiled in 2017.

2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO On Sale Now For $176,585

The new 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO is powered by a 600-horsepower twin turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine with independent rear transaxle all-wheel drive system controlled by a paddle-shifted sequential 6-speed dual clutch transmission, which can be driver selected to shift at race car-like speeds. The new 2017 Nissan GT-R NISMO, with 35 more horsepower than 2017 GT-R Premium models, is priced at $176,585 (including destination and handling of $1,595) and is on sale now after the new 2017 GT-R Premium model went on sale earlier this summer for $111,585.

2017 Jeep Compass Makes Worldwide Debut

The all-new 2017 Jeep Compass compact SUV made its world debut in Brazil and will be produced with 17 powertrain options for consumers in more than 100 countries around the world. The all-new Jeep Compass will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November and be available in North America in the first quarter of 2017.

Land Rover Discovery Starts At $50,985 Mid-2017

The all-new full-size Land Rover Discovery three-row, seven-seat SUV, cutting more than 1,000 pounds from the weight of the outgoing LR4, offers a 340 horsepower supercharged 3.0L gas V-6 engine mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission or a 254 horsepower turbocharged diesel V-6. The new Discovery features a flexible seating that’s instantly configurable from Apple and Android smartphones using remote Intelligent Seat Fold technology. In the US, the all-new Discovery has a maximum towing capacity of 8,201 pounds and will go on sale from mid-2017, priced from $50,985 (including the $995 destination/handling charge).

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Coming First Quarter 2017

The all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, five-passenger, four-door SUV, approximately 400 pounds lighter than the current model, is offered with a 170 horsepower 1.5L turbo engine mated to a six-speed automatic, a 252 horsepower 2.0L turbo engine matched with GM’s new nine-speed automatic transmission, or a 136 horsepower 1.6L turbo-diesel engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 Equinox goes on sale in the first quarter of 2017 in North America.