Friday, March 10, 2017

2018 Lexus LS 500h


The 2018 Lexus LS 500h, the full hybrid version of Lexus’ new flagship sedan, with a 3.5-liter V6 Dual VVT-i gasoline engine and two electric motors together delivering maximum system power of 354 horsepower. The Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System Compact, lightweight, lithium-ion hybrid battery is 20 percent smaller with a higher power density than the current LS 600h L and at 123 inches, the wheelbase of the new LS is 1.3-inches longer than on the current long wheelbase LS 600h L.

2017 Honda Civic Type R Coming In Late Spring


The 2017 Honda Civic Type R, powered by a 306 horsepower 2.0-liter i-VTEC® DI TURBO delivering 295 lb-ft. of torque mated exclusively to a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with rev matching capability, shares the body style of the 5-door hatchback variant and is slated to go on sale in the U.S. in late Spring with an MSRP in the mid-$30k range.

Aston Martin Valkyrie


The Aston Martin Valkyrie, co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Bentley Bentayga Mulliner SUV This Spring


Bentley Bentayga Mulliner with a 600 horsepower 6.0-liter W12 engine with a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 187 mph will be available to order this Spring. Features include Bentley Dynamic Ride which instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering, the Naim for Bentley Audio system with twenty speakers driven by a 1,950-watt, 21-channel amplifier, and a remote-controlled Parking Heater function that allows the interior to be heated or cooled when the engine is switched off, while electric rear window blinds and a double sun-visor are also available with the Sunshine Specification. Standard driver assistance features include Park Assist, Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Assist, Night Vision and a Head-Up Display.

2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet On Sale By Year End


The all-new 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, powered by a 3.0L V6 biturbo engine mated to the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, has a soft-top that can be fully opened and closed in 20 seconds when travelling at a speed of up to 30 mph. The four-seat convertible offers 4MATIC all-wheel drive and an AIRCAP® and AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to enhance comfort when driving with the roof down. The new E-Class Cabriolet has grown in length, width and wheelbase with a vehicle length of 190-in, a width of 73.2-in and a height of 56.2-in. The all-new 2018 E-Class Cabriolet will go on sale in the U.S. by the end of the year.

February 2017 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac) total sales were 237,388, up 4 percent.

Ford Motor Company U.S. sales totaled 208,440 vehicles in February, a 4 percent decline versus a year ago. Lincoln sales totaled 8,744 vehicles, a 9 percent increase.

Toyota Motor North America reported its US February 2017 sales of 174,339 vehicles, a decrease of 7.2 percent from February 2016. Toyota division posted February sales of 156,001, down 5.4 percent while Lexus posted February sales of 18,338 vehicles, down 20.6 percent.

FCA US (Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo) reported U.S. sales of 168,326, a 10 percent decrease compared with sales in February 2016. Separately Maserati reported sales of 1,087, a gain of 49 percent over 2016.

American Honda reported total February sales of 121,686 Honda and Acura vehicles, an increase of 2.3 percent over February 2016 and a new record for the month. Honda Division sales gained 4.3 percent on sales of 110,822 while Acura Division sales were down 14.9 percent, with 10,864 vehicles sold in February.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for February 2017 of 135,740, an increase of 4 percent over the prior year and a February record. Nissan Division finished February with 122,003 sales, up 1 percent and also a February record.

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai & Genesis) announced its best February ever, with sales totaling 53,020 for the month, 11 vehicles more than a year ago.

Kia Motors America announced February sales of 42,673, a 14.2 percent decrease from 2016.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 25,145 in February 2017, a 12.7 percent increase over February 2016. With 48,655 units delivered year-to-date in 2017, VW is reporting an increase of 14.7 percent in year-over-year sales. Separately, Audi of America’s February sales increased 17 percent to 13,741 vehicles. Through the first two months of 2017, Audi U.S. sales have risen 14 percent to 26,942 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz reported the highest February sales in its history with 24,522 units up 6.9 percent from February 2016. Adding 2,513 units for Vans and 348 units for smart, Mercedes-Benz USA achieved its highest February to date with a grand total of 27,383 vehicles, up 6.8 percent from a year ago.

Mazda North American Operations reported February U.S. sales of 22,824 vehicles, representing an increase of 5.9 percent versus February of last year. Year-to-date sales of 44,522 through February are up 7.9 percent versus last year.

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 0.3 percent in February for a total of 22,558. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 0.2 percent in the U.S. on sales of 40,667 vehicles compared to 40,580 sold in the first two months of 2016.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported February 2017 sales of 10,924, an increase of 38.8 percent over February 2016.

Jaguar Land Rover North America reported February 2017 U.S. sales for both brands hit 9,231, a 16 percent increase making it the best ever Jaguar Land Rover February sales month. Jaguar sales were 3,484, a 130 percent increase while Land Rover sales reached 5,747, down 10 percent.

Volvo Car USA reported U.S. sales of 4,651 vehicles for the month of February, an 11.6 percent decrease. Year to date sales are down 14.5 percent.

Porsche Cars North America announced February 2017 sales of 3,637 vehicles, up 2.1 percent over February 2016. Year-to-date Porsche recorded 8,239 vehicle sales, a 4.1 percent increase over the same period last year.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Volkswagen Arteon Fastback Coupe Coming Soon


The Volkswagen Arteon is a new fastback model positioned above the Passat offering a spacious interior for this type of body style, with ample head and legroom for all the seats. The Arteon has the latest generation of driver assistance systems that are typically found in luxury automobiles. The new Volkswagen Arteon will makes its world debut soon at the Geneva Auto Show.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Range Rover Velar To Join Range Rover Line Up


The new Range Rover Velar, the fourth member of the Range Rover family that fits between the Range Rover Evoque and the Range Rover Sport, will be unveiled on March 1, at the at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Lexus LS 500h Coming Soon


The all-new Lexus LS 500h will debut at the Geneva Auto Show on March 7th.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Volvo V90 Wagon Will Start At $49,950


The Volvo V90 Wagon comes with either Volvo’s T5 FWD, turbo-charged Drive-E engine or T6 AWD, turbo and super-charged powertrain in Inscription or R-Design trim. Leather seats, a Panoramic moonroof, Blind Spot Information System, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard along with City Safety, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection. The T5 FWD R-Design V90 will start at $49,950 and is now available to order for U.S. customers via Volvo Concierge, one-to-one interaction with a Volvo representative online.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

2018 Ford Expedition Coming This Fall


The all-new 2018 Ford Expedition full-size SUV, available in XLT, Limited and Platinum series, with an all-new high-strength, aluminum-alloy body and redesigned high-strength steel frame making it 300 pounds lighter, is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. New driver-assist technologies include enhanced active park assist to easily pull in and out of parking spots, available 360-degree camera technology, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, collision avoidance detection and available Blind Spot Information.
The all-new Expedition arrives this Fall.

2018 Dodge Durango SRT Coming In The 4th Quarter


The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT three-row SUV is powered by a 475 horsepower 392-cubic-inch HEMI® V-8 engine mated to a standard TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission specifically calibrated for the Dodge Durango SRT to optimize shift points and deliver maximum torque to all four wheels for a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds.

A new electronic T-shifter provides the driver with intuitive gear selection while a new SRT seven-mode drive system gives the driver a wide choice of settings, including the new Sport Mode which reduces shift times by up to 50 percent versus Auto Mode to deliver up to 65 percent of the 392 HEMI engine’s torque to the rear wheels. The new Track Mode provides 160-millisecond shifts and up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels. All customers who buy a new Durango SRT will receive one full-day session at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. The new 2018 Dodge Durango SRT will start arriving in Dodge dealerships during fourth quarter of this year.

Monday, February 6, 2017

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Limited Edition


The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Limited Edition boasts bold new exterior aesthetics including an alloy fuel door, black painted door mirrors and 18" alloy wheels, fog lamps, HID headlamps, a rear view camera and a Limited Edition badge. The Outlander Sport Limited Edition will be in dealerships later this month for $21,995 and available through the end of the model year.

2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition Coming This Month


The new 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition, with a 285 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, is equipped with Wrangler’s part-time four-wheel-drive system that has electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles with power being sent to each through a Rock-Trac transfer case and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The new 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition has a stronger front axle, enhanced rock rails, heavy-duty cast differential covers and a standard eight-speaker audio system with an optional Premium Alpine Audio Package that includes nine Alpine speakers, a subwoofer and a 552-watt amplifier. The new 2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon Edition is priced at $39,145 for the two-door model and $42,945 for the Wrangler Unlimited (four-door) model and arrives in showrooms later this month.

2018 Subaru Legacy Coming This Summer


The 2018 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan, with revised styling and upgrades, is powered by a 175 horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder BOXER engine, or, as the Legacy 3.6R with a 256 horsepower 3.6-liter 6-cylinder BOXER engine mated to a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) with manual mode, paddle shift control switches and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. New for 2018 includes tire pressure monitoring, a larger Blind Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert indicator lamp and redesigned LED turn signals in the mirrors. All Legacy trim lines come standard with a rear-view camera. The 2018 Subaru Legacy will go on sale this summer.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

January 2017 U.S. Auto Sales


General Motors (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac) delivered 195,909 vehicles in January, down 3.8 percent year over year.

Ford sales of 172,612 vehicles for January was a 0.6 percent decline from February 2016. Of that total, Lincoln sales were 8,785 vehicles, up 22 percent over a year ago.

Toyota Motor North America reported its U.S. January 2017 sales of 143,048 vehicles, a decrease of 11.3 percent from January 2016. Toyota division posted January sales of 127,476, down 9.2 percent while Lexus posted January sales of 15,572 vehicles, down 25.6 percent.

FCA (Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Fiat, Alfa Romeo) reported U.S. sales of 152,218, an 11 percent decrease compared with sales in January 2016.

American Honda reported total January sales of 106,380 Honda and Acura vehicles, an increase of 5.9 percent over January 2016 and a new record for the month. Honda Division sales were 97,178 rising 7.7 percent while Acura Division sales totaled 9,202 vehicles in January, a decrease of 10.2 percent.

Nissan Group announced total U.S. sales for January 2017 of 112,319, an increase of 6 percent over the prior year and a January record. while Infiniti reported sales of 11,558 vehicles in the U.S. during January, an increase of 36 percent, an all-time record January for the brand.

Subaru of America reported 43,879 vehicle sales for January 2017, a 6.8 percent increase over January 2016, and the best January in the history of the company.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 23,510 in January 2017, a 17.1 percent increase over January 2016. Separately, Audi of America’s January sales increased 11 percent to 13,201 vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported record January sales of 25,527, topping last January’s record volume. Adding 2,049 for Vans and 324 for smart, MBUSA achieved its highest January to date with a grand total of 27,900 vehicles, up 3.5 percent from a year ago.

Mazda North American Operations reported January U.S. sales of 21,698 vehicles, an increase of 10.1 percent versus January of last year, and the best January sales month in five years.

BMW brand sold 18,109 vehicles in January, an increase of 0.1 percent compared to January, 2016.

Jaguar Land Rover North America had its best ever January with U.S. sales for both brands of 9,102, a 30 percent increase. Jaguar sales were 2,939, a 117 percent increase and Land Rover sales reached 6,163, up 9 percent from January 2016.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported January 2017 sales of 6,457, an increase of 3.1 percent over January 2016.

Porsche Cars North America delivered 4,602 vehicles in January, up 5.7 percent over the same period last year, for the strongest January sales month ever recorded by the company.

Volvo Car USA reported U.S. sales of 3,472 vehicles for the month of January, an 18.2 percent decrease.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

2017 Kia Niro NiroBot Commercial


Kia Motors will have a Super Bowl commercial called "Iceberg" featuring the NiroBot for Messenger, an chat experience that includes guided vehicle discovery, expansive technical knowledge, step-by-step tutorials and test drive scheduling. Actress Melissa McCarthy is the centerpiece of a multi-faceted marketing campaign for the all-new 2017 Niro crossover.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster In Super Bowl Commerical


Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster with actor Peter Fonda and the music of Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild," is featured in Mercedes-Benz "Easy Driver," commercial which will appear in the fourth quarter of the Feb. 5th game commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz performance sub-brand AMG. The comical spot is directed by the Academy-Award-winning Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan, known for writing and/or directing many films including Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Ladykillers, No Country for Old Men, Inside Llewyn Davis, Unbroken, Bridge of Spies.

2018 BMW 4 Series Coming This March


The 2018 BMW 4 Series, Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe, have a 248 horsepower twin-turbo engine on the 430i and a 320 horsepower for the top-of-the-line 440i, mated to the eight-speed Steptronic Sport Automatic transmission or an available six-speed manual transmission on the BMW 4 Series Coupe (430i, 440i, and 440i xDrive). The new BMW 4 Series Coupe and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe both now come with stiffer suspension featuring more advanced damping technology, an upgraded steering set-up and a lower center of gravity than the BMW 3 Series. The BMW M4 Coupe and BMW M4 Convertible will have a 425 horsepower six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 2018 BMW 4 Series will be available as 430i, 440i xDrive models starting this March and pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle launch.

2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid Starts At $27,180


The new 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid, offered in SV and SL grade levels and with one option package and available in both FWD and AWD, starts at $27,180 (including $940 destination and handling), $1,000 above a non-hybrid Rogue SV front-wheel drive model. The new Rogue Hybrid produces estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive model with all-wheel drive models estimated at 31 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined. The Rogue Hybrid combines a 141 horsepower 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy inline 4-cylinder engine and a compact lithium-ion battery with a 40 horsepower electric motor, two-clutch control for a system net 176 horsepower. Rogue Hybrid is on sale now in 18 West, Northwest and Mountain states and goes on sale nationwide this Spring.