Saturday, December 2, 2017

LA Auto Show: 2018 Lexus RX 350L, RX 450L


The 2018 Lexus RX 350L, powered by a 290 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to an 8-speed Electronically Controlled Transmission, and RX 450hL with the 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators producing 308 combined system horsepower, will now have the option of a third row with the seven-seat version having a 40/20/40 split bench-type second row seat and full-length side curtain airbags covering all three rows. The available six-seat configuration features second-row captain’s chairs that make third-row ingress/egress easier with “walk-in” convenience. RX L models include a flat load floor behind the folded third-row, two third-row cupholders, an easily stowable tonneau and covered slide rails. The RX 350L will have a starting MSRP of $48,665 (FWD) and $50,065 (AWD) (including a delivery, processing and handling fee of $995) when they go on sale before yearend.

LA Auto Show: 2019 Infiniti QX50


The all-new 2019 Infiniti QX50 luxury, front-engine, front-wheel-drive-based mid-size crossover powered by a 268 horsepower 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine that adjusts its compression ratio to optimize power and efficiency with comined city/highway fuel economy of 27 mpg and 26 mpg for the all-wheel drive. The engine is paired with INFINITI’s new XTRONIC continuously-variable transmission, a ‘shift-by-wire’ system which eliminates the need for traditional gears. QX50’s ProPILOT Assist system include Direct Adaptive Steering and Intelligent Cruise Control along with Distance Control Assist, Back-up Collision Intervention, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, and Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection. The all-new 2019 Infiniti QX50 will go on sale in the first quarter of 2018.

Friday, December 1, 2017

LA Auto Show: Porsche 718 Cayman GTS and Boxster GTS


The new Porsche 718 Cayman GTS starts at $80,850 and Porsche 718 Boxster GTS starts at $82,950 (including the $1,050 delivery, processing, and handling fee) and are powered by a 365 horsepower 2.5 liter flat-four cylinder turbo engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds to a top track speed of 180 mph. The new 718 Cayman GTS and 718 Boxster GTS will start arriving in February.

L.A. Auto Show: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster World Debut


The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster two-seater is powered by a 369 horsepower hybrid-specific all-wheel drive, with a combustion engine driving the rear wheels and the electric motor driving the front wheels producing 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.4 seconds reaching an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster can cover up to 18 miles in purely electric driving and has a full electric convertible top that opens in under 16 seconds. The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster is expected to cost more than $150,000 when sales commence in the Spring.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Video: 2018 Lexus LS 500 Flagship Sedan Coming In February


2018 Lexus LS 500 flagship sedan has many features that are decribed by Lexus product specialist Tawan Perry. Click here to view video.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Tesla Roadster Will Go 620 Miles Per Charge


The new Tesla Roadster has Elon Musk boasting that the 4-seater all-wheel drive, all-electric supercar is the quickest car in the world, with record-setting acceleration of 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, a range of 620 miles (LA to San Francisco round trip at legal highway speed without recharging, claims Musk) and a top speed more than 250 mph. A lightweight, removable Glass Roof stores in the trunk for an open-air, convertible driving experience. The base price is $200,000 with a reservation fee of$50,000. The Founders Series, with 1,000 reservations available, has a price of $250,000.

2018 Honda Accord 2.0T Starts At $31,200


The all-new 2018 Honda Accord 2.0T is added to the Accord line-up with a new 252 horsepower 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo® direct-injected DOHC inline-4 engine in Sport, EX-L, EX-L Navi and Touring trims. The Accord 2.0T goes on sale on Nov. 20 with a starting MSRP of $31,200 (including $890 destination and handling) for the Accord 2.0T Sport, available with either a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission or a short-throw 6-speed manual.

2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid Starts At $34,290


The 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid is powered by a 181-horsepower electric motor and a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine producing a total system output of 212 horsepower. The 17-kilowatt hour battery pack has a recharge time of 2.5 hours at 240 volts. The Clarity Plug-in starts at $34,290 (including $890 destination charge) and the Touring trim for $37,490 on December 1st at dealerships nationwide. Clarity Plug-in Hybrid owners are eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500 when they purchase, and for additional state rebates, where available, when they purchase or lease the model.

2018 Kia Stinger Starts At $32,800 December 1st


The all-new 2018 Kia Stinger fastback sport sedan starts at $32,800 for the base Stinger and $38,000 for the Stinger Premium, both powered by a 255 horsepower 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Stinger GT starting at $39,250, GT1 starting at $44,150 and GT2 starting at $50,100 get a 365 horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. Both engines are matched to a second-generation eight-speed rear-drive automatic transmission. All-wheel drive also is available for $2,200 across all trims. The all-new 2018 Kia Stinger is expected to arrive in Kia dealers December 1st.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Coming This Spring


The 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is powered by a 755 horsepower LT5 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine mated to either a seven-speed manual or, for the first time in the ZR1, an eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission that takes the ZR1 to a top speed of over 210 mph. The ZR1 will offer a standard rear Low Wing and an available two-way-adjustable High Wing which includes a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps that provides an estimated 950 pounds of downforce. All models featuring a Chevrolet-first, downforce-enhancing front underwing. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 goes on sale next Spring.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

MINI Electric Concept Will Make North American Debut In L.A.


The MINI Electric Concept encapsulates MINI’s near-term vision of an all-electric car designed for urban mobility and will lead to an all-electric series-production model in 2019. The MINI Electric Concept, showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show will makes its North American debut later this month in Los Angeles. 

BMW i Vision Dynamics Will Make North American Premiere at L.A. Show


The BMW i Vision Dynamics is an all-electric, emission-free four-door Gran Coupe that accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds to a top speed of 120 mph with a range of 373 miles, will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month. In addition, the BMW i3s, BMW X7 SAV Concept and the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo will make their North American premieres. The BMW 8 Series Concept and the all-new BMW M5 will also be featured.

BMW M3 CS Will Make World Debut At Los Angeles Auto Show


The first-ever BMW M3 CS, around 110 pounds lighter than a standard M3, is powered by a 453 horsepower M TwinPower Turbo technology 6-cylinder inline engine that accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds to a a top speed of 174 mph. The carbon fiber-reinforced plastic roof alone is more than 13 pounds lighter than a conventional steel version. The BMW M3 CS is available to order in the U.S. starting in May 2018. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch. The first-ever BMW M3 CS will make its world debut in Los Angeles later this month.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

2018 Jeep® Wrangler To Debut At L.A. Auto Show


The all-new 2018 Jeep® Wrangler with a fold-down windshield for off-roading and dozens of different door, top and windshield combinations will be debut with more information in late November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

First-ever 2018 BMW X2 Coming This Spring


The first-ever 2018 BMW X2 xDrive28i will be available at launch with the latest generation 228 horsepower 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission and all-wheel-drive system providing 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 6.3 seconds. The 2018 BMW X2 is 3.2 inches shorter and 2.8 inches lower than the BMW X1 on the same wheelbase. The first-ever 2018 BMW X2 will be available in Spring 2018 with pricing to be announced closer to market launch.

MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT At Tokyo Show


The MITSUBISHI e-EVOLUTION CONCEPT all-electric high-performance SUV is powered by three torqueful electric motors fed by a high-capacity battery system  located under the floor mid-ship of the vehicle for a low center of gravity. The triple motor 4WD system employs a single motor to drive the front wheels, complemented by a new Dual Motor Active Yaw Control system that couples two rear motors through an electronically controlled torque-vectoring AYC unit integrated into the Super All-Wheel Control vehicle control system.

Mazda KAI and VISION COUPE Debut In Tokyo


The Mazda KAI CONCEPT compact hatchback featuring the next-generation SKYACTIV-X gasoline engine previews a new generation of Mazda cars.


The Mazda VISION COUPE represents Mazda’s design vision for next-generation models.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

All-New 2018 Audi A7 Sportback Coming Next Year


The all-new 2018 Audi A7 Sportback will initially launch with the 340 horsepower 3.0 V6 TFSI engine paired with a seven speed S tronic transmission taking it from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds to a top speed of 155 mph and features a total of 39 driver assistance systems split up into three packages: the Audi AI parking package (gradual introduction beginning 2018), the City assist package with the new crossing assist, and the Tour assist package. All-wheel steering moves the rear axle with a spindle drive that turns the wheels by as much as 5 degrees. The optional sport differential actively distributes drive torque between the rear wheels, complementing quattro all-wheel drive. The optional voice control with MMI navigation plus, allows the natural speech dialogue system to process questions and commands in two ways – with information stored onboard and at the same time with detailed knowledge from the cloud. The new Audi A7 Sportback will launch in the German market in late February 2018.

2018 911 Porsche Carrera T Starts At $103,150 In March


The new 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T ("T" for Touring), powered by a 370 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0 flat-six engine mated to a manual transmission, at 3,142 pounds is lighter, and has a shorter constant transaxle ratio, and a standard mechanical rear differential lock delivering zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds to a top track speed of 182 mph. The 911 Carrera T is equipped with several performance-enhancing features that are not available on the standard 911 Carrera like the PASM Sport Suspension with a 0.39-inch lower ride height, a shortened gear lever with an embossed shift pattern in red, and seat centers made of Sport-Tex material. Rear-axle steering is an option for the 911 Carrera T. The 2018 911 Carrera T is now available for ordering and is expected to reach U.S. dealers by March 2018. The base MSRP is $103,150 (including the $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee).

2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUP concept Coming To SEMA


The 2018 Chevrolet Traverse SUP concept to be shown at the SEMA Show, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 in Las Vegas, features a stand up paddleboard carrier by Thule®, Blue Wave bodyside graphics and yellow stripes, dark gray fascias, rockers and wheel opening trim, gloss black bodyside molding and glass black foglamp bezels.