Lexus LF-Z Electrified Concept

The Lexus LF-Z Electrified, a BEV Concept, is envisioned for realization by 2025 when Lexus plans to introduce 20 new or improved models, including more than 10 electrified models. The new four-wheel drive force control technology, DIRECT4, is controlled according to human senses and inputs. Artificial Intelligence learns the driver’s preferences and behavioral characteristics and the voice recognition system uses the latest AI to recognize, learn, and adapt to a driver’s habits and preferences, supporting with tasks such as determining driving routes and making restaurant reservations.  

Video: Throwback Thursday - FNN AutoTrends

Financial News Network's AutoTrends program was a highly-rated weekly program hosted by Richard Saxton from 1989-1991 that covered new and collector cars as well as automotive personalities. Here are a few clips.

Hyundai STARIA Debuts In First Half Of 2021

The Hyundai STARIA multi-purpose vehicle offers a number of seating arrangements, from 2-seater to 11-seater, making it suitable for both families and business use. Inspired by the lounge of a cruise ship, the 9-seater STARIA Premium has second-row seats with the added ability to swivel 180 degrees to face passengers in the third row. The 11-seater STARIA Premium will only be available in Korea. STARIA, will have a digital world premiere slated for the first half of 2021.

BMW i4 Coming This Year

The BMW i4, a fully electric 4 door Gran Coupé with a power output of up to 530 horsepower, will be available in different versions covering ranges of up to 300 miles. The BMW i4 will enter the market during the course of 2021, including a BMW M Performance model. 

2021 Acura TLX Type S Starts In The Low $50,000s In May

The 2021 Acura TLX Type S, powered by an all-new 355 horsepower 3.0-liter Type S Turbo V6 engine mated to a Sport Tuned 10-speed AT, is equpped with a sport-tuned chassis with double wishbone front suspension and Brembo® brakes. When it arrives at showrooms in late May, the well-equipped 2021 Acura TLX Type S will carry a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price starting in the low $50,000s.

2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line Coming This Spring

The 2022 Kia Stinger GT-Line is powered by a 300 horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-four-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or a 368 horsepower 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine also paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Kia’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including Auto Emergency Braking Technology, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, and Lane Keeping Assist are now all standard. The 2022 Kia Stinger will arrive this Spring and be available in GT-Line, GT1, and GT2 trims, with a special edition Scorpion model released at a later date. 

2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid

The new 2022 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid model features an estimated 261 horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected hybrid powertrain coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Plug-in Hybrid battery is larger than the hybrid battery, with 13.8 kWh of power, yielding an estimated all-electric range of 32 miles and estimated fuel economy of 70 MPGe. Plug-in Hybrid Level-II charging capability is well under two hours to recharge the system using a 7.2kW on-board charger. The Plug-in Hybrid powerplant delivers an estimated combined fuel economy rating of 30 mpg with all-wheel drive and offers a tow rating of 2,000 lbs.

Volkswagen ID.4 Arriving This Month

The Volkswagen ID.4 long-range electric SUV, after more than two years of preparation, is arriving in dealers across America this month through a network of more than 600 dealers. The ID.4, Volkswagen’s first all-electric SUV, will be offered in four trims with an 82kWh (gross) battery and a rear-mounted AC permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 201 horsepower, 229 pound-feet of torque and an EPA-estimated 250 miles of range for the ID.4 Pro S and 1st Edition models. Pricing starts at an MSRP of $39,995, and offers a potential Federal tax credit of up to $7,500. Starting later in 2021, the ID.4 AWD Pro will be available with an MSRP of $43,675.

2022 Volkswagen Golf R Arrives Late This Year

The all-new 2022 Volkswagen Golf R has a 315 horsepower engine with a new 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system with rear-axle torque vectoring using a rear differential with two multiplate clutches can now distribute up to 100 percent of the rear torque to an individual rear wheel. The most powerful Golf R to date is expected to arrive late this year. 

2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer Arrive 2nd Half Of 2021

The all-new 2022 Jeep Wagoneer (right) is powered by a 392 horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission and fitted with the next generation of eTorque 48-volt hybrid with fuel-saving technologies, including cylinder deactivation and Variable Cam Timing as standard equipment. Quadra-Lift air suspension delivers up to 10 inches of ground clearance, towing capability is up to 10,000 lbs., and is available in Series I (late availability), Series II and Series III. Trailer Hitch Line-up Assist with active grid lines and camera zoom allows for connection to a trailer. Driver-assist technologies include head-up display, adaptive cruise control, Active Driving Assist, Hands-free Active Driving Assist, night vision, drowsy driver detection and Traffic Sign Recognition. The 2022 Grand Wagoneer (left), available in Series I, Series II, Series III and Obsidian, features a 471 horsepower 6.4-liter V-8 power with cylinder deactivation and VCT mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. A new standard 10.25-inch (12.3-inch on Grand Wagoneer models) frameless digital gauge cluster features nearly two dozen different menus that the user can select from. The 2022 Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models offer a standard third row with available seating for up to eight passengers on all trims and are scheduled to arrive in showrooms in the second half of 2021.

Mercedes-Maybach S 580 Starts At $185,950 Mid-2021

The new-generation Mercedes-Maybach S 580 4MATIC, powered by a 496 horsepower electrified V8 biturbo engine with Mild Hybrid Drive and 48-volt technology, will be priced from $185,950 (includes $1,050 destination and delivery charge). Features include a new 12.8" OLED multimedia touchscreen display in the center console and five screens in the front and rear with the second generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system with advanced Voice Control and 50% more processing power compared to the previous MBUX system and a 3D Instrument Cluster and Augmented Reality Head-Up Display. The Burmester® 4D surround sound system includes 30 speakers and eight resonators. The Maybach S 580 can also be equipped with electronically-operated comfort rear doors that can be controlled from the driver's seat, heated and cooled cupholders, a refrigerated compartment and custom champagne flutes and built-in holders. The Maybach S 580 will arrive in U.S. dealerships in mid-2021.

All-New Hyundai KONA N Shown In Korea

The all-new Hyundai KONA N revealed in Korea. 

McLaren Artura Hybrid Starts At $225,000

The all-new McLaren Artura supercar, available in a standard specification and Performance, TechLux, and Vision trim levels, is priced from $225,000 in the US, and powered by an all-new 577 horsepower twin turbocharged V6 engine, combined with the 94 horsepower E-Motor, delivering 671 horsepower. Fuel economy is 50+mpg with an electric power-only driving range of 19 miles. 

Carroll Shelby 1994 Interview

Carroll Shelby (1923-2012), automotive designer and race driver who was the 1959 winning driver of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and designer of Shelby GT350 and GT500 based on the Ford Mustang and 1983 Dodge Shelby Charger, to name a few. His incredible legacy was most recently in the feature film Ford vs. Ferrari and documentary Shelby American. Shelby sits down for a brief interview at the opening of the Petersen Automotive Museum in 1994. 

Click to play video.

2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Starts At $92,250 This Summer

The new 2021 Taycan Cross Turismo will start at $92,250 (including the $1,350 delivery, processing and handling fee) when it arrives at U.S. dealerships this Summer. EPA range figures will be announced closer to market launch. 

The crossover version will launch with the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo, and Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo. All variants will feature dual-motor all-wheel drive, two-speed rear transmission, Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management in conjunction with air suspension, Performance Battery Plus and its 800-volt battery architecture. The eight-member Taycan family can be ordered in over 21,000 combinations based solely on variant, wheel choice, exterior color, and interior selection. 

Honda SENSING® Elite Safety System Starts On Legend Hybrid EX

Honda has just launched the new Honda SENSING® Elite safety system on the Honda Legend Hybrid EX that's available for lease in Japan. Honda SENSING Elite features ‘Traffic Jam Pilot’ function, enabling the automated driving system to drive the vehicle, instead of the driver, under certain conditions such as when the vehicle is in congested traffic on an expressway. Other features are the first Level 3 automated technology to be approved by Japanese authorities with ‘Hands-off’ and ‘Emergency Stop Assist’. Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist System will assist the driving operations even while the driver has their hands off the steering wheel. Active Lane Change Assist with Hands-off Function provides throttle, braking and steering inputs necessary to accomplish the lane change.

2021 Kia Niro Hybrid LX Starts At $25,865

The 2021 Kia Niro Hybrid LX, powered by a 139 horsepower 1.6L GDI engine with an electric motor and a 1.56 kWh lithium ion polymer hybrid battery that gets 50-MPG combined EPA fuel economy rating, starts at $25,865 (including $1,175 destination). The 2021 Kia Niro PHEV, powered by a 139 horsepower 1.6L GDI engine with an electric motor and an 8.9 kWh lithium ion polymer PHEV battery, starts at $30,765. New for 2021 is a standard Rear Occupant Alert (door logic based). The 2021 Niro EV details will be released later this year.

Hyundai BAYON Crossover SUV For Europe

The all-new Hyundai BAYON, a B-segment crossover SUV specifically for Europe, is powered by a 99 or 118 horsepower 1.0-liter T-GDi engine combined with Hyundai’s 48-volt mild hybrid technology coupled with either the 6-speed intelligent Manual Transmission  or a 7-speed dual clutch transmission or an 83 horsepower 1.2-liter MPi engine paired with a 5MT.

2022 Kia Carnival Coming In The Second Quarter

The all-new 2022 Kia Carnival Multi-Purpose Vehicle, with removable second-row seats and fold-in-floor third-row seats, replaces the outgoing Sedona and is powered by a 290 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission providing up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. The 2022 Carnival is underpinned by the same all-new 3rd generation “N3” platform as the Sorento and K5. The 2022 Carnival will be offered in LX, EX, SX, and SX-Prestige trim levels with standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning-Reverse, Lane Keeping Assist System with Lane Following Assist and Driver Attention Warning that senses inattentive driving patterns and sends an audible/visual warning to alert the driver. This all-new MPV is expected to go on sale in the second quarter of this year.

Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance Coming This Fall

The Lexus IS 500 F SPORT Performance is powered by a 472-horsepower naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine mated to an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission that features drive mode select Sport S and Sport S+ making it capable of delivering a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds with a manufacturer-estimated 24 mpg highway rating. The Lexus Safety System+ has a Pre-Collision System, which includes Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection, Emergency Steering Assist and All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control can be activated above 30 mph and is designed to perform vehicle-to-vehicle distance controls down to 0 mph and can resume from a stop. DRCC also includes a new feature that allows for smooth overtaking of slower vehicles. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA) is designed to help notify the driver if it senses an inadvertent lane departure at speeds above 32 miles per hour via steering wheel vibrations or audible alert. The all-new 2022 IS 500 F SPORT Performance is expected to arrive in dealerships later this Fall.