Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Porsche Taycan GTS Sedan, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo Arrive In Q2 Of 2022

The Porsche Taycan GTS sedan and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo with a total power output of 590 horsepower with Launch Control, slots between the 462 horsepower Taycan 4S and the 670 horsepower Taycan Turbo. The Taycan GTS sedan and GTS Sport Turismo feature the same permanent magnet single-speed front motor, larger permanent magnet rear motor with a diameter of 245 mm and an active length of 210 mm, and two-speed rear transmission. The Taycan GTS comes standard with the 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus with high charging speeds of up to 270 kW so it can charge from 5 to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes. Both Taycan GTS models are available to order now and U.S. deliveries will start in Q2 of 2022. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

VinFast VF e35 and VF e36 Coming To U.S. By End Of 2022

VinFast, a Vietnamese-based electric vehicle company that started in 2017, introduces the Pininfarina-designed VF e35 (left) and VF e36 SUV (right) EV models at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. According to its website, VinFast opened its fully digital automotive manufacturing complex in 2017 on Cat Hai Island, Vietnam and will have its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles.

Michael Lohscheller, the Global CEO of VinFast, a former Volkswagen and Opel executive, says "VinFast believes in The Future of Mobility, a future where smart vehicles are highly personalized technologies for life that combine eco-friendliness with maximum safety and outstanding driver experiences.” Vinfast will begin taking orders in the U.S. market for its electric VF e35 sedan and e36 SUV in the first half of 2022 and expects to begin delivering them by the end of the year from the 60 U.S. showrooms they expect to open next year. VinFast will offer a 10-year warranty to encourage consumers to switch to EVs.

VinFast's parent company, Vingroup, formerly known as Technocom Corporation, was founded in 1993 in Ukraine. In the early 2000s, Vingroup started in Vietnam with two key brands: Vincom and Vinpearl. In January 2012, Vinpearl JSC merged with Vincom JSC to form Vingroup Joint Stock Company. 

2022 Land Rover Range Rover Coming In Spring 2022

2022 Land Rover Range Rover, the fifth generation Range Rover, available in SE and Autobiography models, will be powered by a V8 or mild hybrid inline-six with a 434 horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain (available at 2023 model year) with an all-electric range of 62 miles with a fully charged battery (based on manufacturer's range estimate) and a pure-electric Range Rover will join the line-up in 2024, coming in a choice of four, five or seven-seat interiors available across standard and long wheelbase body designs. Priced from $105,350 (including $1,350 destination and delivery) in the U.S., the new Range Rover is available to order now, with deliveries beginning Spring 2022. 

Mazda CX-50 Coming in Early 2022

The first-ever Mazda CX-50, a completely new model, at launch will be powered by either the Skyactiv-G 2.5 naturally aspirated engine or Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo engine, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. In the coming years, the CX-50 will also be offered with electrified powertrains, including a traditional hybrid model. CX-50 is the first Mazda vehicle to be built at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) plant in Huntsville, Alabama, with production beginning in January 2022.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Rivian Automotive, Inc Goes Public At $78 A Share

Rivian Automotive, Inc. (ticker RIVN) became a publicly traded company today at a price of $78 a share and is trading well above its IPO price. The gross proceeds from the offering to Rivian, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by Rivian, are expected to be approximately $11.9 billion, excluding any exercise of the underwriters’ 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 22,950,000 shares of Class A common stock at the initial public offering price.

The Rivian R1T 5-seater all-electric truck, measures 217.1 inches in length on a 135.8 inch wheelbase, has an EPA estimated range of 314 miles with a starting price of $67,500 and up to 11,000 lb. towing capacity. In January 2022, an R1T with a 400+ mile range will be available, and there will be an R1T with a 250+ mile range.

The Rivian R1S 7-seater all-electric truck, measuring 200.8 inches on a 121.1 inch wheelbase, delivers an EPA estimated 316 miles with a starting price of $70,000, up to 7,700 lb. towing capacity and a 0-60 mph time as quick as 3 seconds. The R1S can drive through 3+ feet of water, rock crawl at a 100% grade and traverse just about any terrain with 14.9 inches of ground clearance. Driver+ has 11 cameras, 5 radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors and 360ยบ field of vision. After launch, news of a 250+ mile and longer range R1S, with seven seats.

Click to watch Rivian interview from the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

2022 Acura MDX Type S High Performance SUV Coming In December

The 2022 Acura MDX Type S high-performance 3-row SUV is powered by an all-new 355 horsepower 24-valve, DOHC 3.0-liter V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with standard torque vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ and an Adaptive Damper System paired with air suspension. A 12.3-inch Acura Precision Cockpit™ all-digital instrument display is standard along with the True Touchpad Interface™ paired with a 12.3-inch ultra-wide HD center display. The 2022 MDX Type S will begin arriving at Acura dealers nationwide this December with pricing starting in the high-$60,000 range.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

All-New 2022 Toyota Tundra Starts At $37,645 Next Month

The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is powered by either the standard 389 horsepower i-FORCE 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 engine or an available 437 horsepower  i-FORCE MAX Powertrain with both engines mated to a 10-speed Electronically Controlled Automatic Transmission with intelligence featuring a sequential shift mode, uphill/downhill shift logic and TOW/HAUL driving modes. Tundra has up to a 12,000-pound maximum towing capacity. The 2022 Tundra 4x2 SR Double Cab 6.5-ft. bed i-FORCE has a starting price of $37,645 (including $1,695 destination charge). The 2022 Toyota Tundra will be offered in two four-door options: Double Cab and CrewMax. Double Cab models will be offered with the choice of a 6.5-foot bed or an 8.1-foot bed. CrewMax models will be offered with either a 5.5-foot bed or a new 6.5-foot bed. The 2022 Toyota Tundra will go on sale at dealerships starting next month. 

Friday, October 29, 2021

Mercedes-AMG SL - All New

The new Mercedes-AMG SL, based on a completely new 2+2-seater vehicle architecture developed by Mercedes-AMG, is powered by an AMG 577 horsepower 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine in the top model SL 63, and a 469 horsepower version in the SL 55 mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission equipped with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive technology and active rear-axle steering as standard. The SL now has an electric soft top instead of the previous metal vario-roof. Compared to the previous model series, the torsional rigidity of the body shell structure increased by 18 percent while the transverse rigidity is 50 percent higher than the AMG GT Roadster. At a later date, a Performance hybrid drive will be offered.

2022 Toyota GR86 Starts At $28,725 In December

The all-new 2022 Toyota GR86, available in GR86 and GR86 Premium trims, is powered by a 228 horsepower 2.4-liter, horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine combined with either a 6-Speed M/T or 6-Speed A/T transmission. Seven airbags are standard on all models, now including a driver’s knee airbag for 2022. Arriving at Toyota dealerships in December starting at $28,725 (including $1,025 delivery, processing, and handling fee).


Toyota bZ4X All-Electric Coming Soon

The Toyota bZ4X all-electric BEV production model. The bZ4X is part of Toyota’s “beyond Zero” brand umbrella for battery electric vehicles. U.S. product details will be shared in mid-November.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

2023 Kia Sportage Coming All New In 2022 1st Quarter

The 2023 Kia Sportage arrives in its 5th generation 7.1 inches longer while taller and wider by a half inch than previous generation on a 3.4-inch longer wheelbase and powered by a new 187 horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine mated to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 Sportage is available in LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige and the all-new X-Line and Sportage X-Pro trim levels. There are eight standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including newly available features such as 360° Surround View Monitor with 3D View and live feed Blind-Spot View Monitor within instrument cluster.  An available dual panoramic curved display connects a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Like the Sorento, the Sportage will also be available in a hybrid version. Details on other powertrains will be revealed at a later date, while gasoline variants are anticipated to go on sale in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2022.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Coming Next Summer

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 3.6 inches wider than the Stingray on which it is based, is powered by an all-new 670 horsepower 5.5L LT6 naturally-aspirated V-8 engine mated to a 8-speed DCT transmission. The Z06 rigid structure so stiff that there is no variance in the suspension calibrations between the coupe and hardtop convertible model. The 2023 Corvette Z06 production begins in Summer 2022. 

Monday, October 25, 2021

2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Pickup Coming In January 2022

The all-new 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid pickup, powered by an all-new 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle hybrid engine and electronic continuously variable transmission, delivers an EPA-estimated rating of 37 mpg combined and an EPA-estimated range of more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas. Maverick Hybrid is expected to start shipping in December with the first customer deliveries expected in January 2022 so required state and federal emissions certification can be completed.

2022 Honda Civic Si - All New

The 2022 Honda Civic Si is powered by an updated high-output 200-horsepower VTEC® 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission with standard rev-matching system. Civic Si has an 8 percent increase in torsional rigidity and a 13 percent increase in bending rigidity compared to the outgoing Si. Like the 2022 Civic Sedan, the new Civic Si also benefits from a 0.5-inch wider rear track for additional stability, and a 1.4-inch longer wheelbase. Standard on Civic Si is the new Honda Sensing® suite of active safety and driver-assistive technologies that uses a new single-camera system providing a longer, wider field of view than the previous radar-and-camera based system. 

2022 Acura RDX Starts At $40,345 On Nov. 2nd

The 2022 Acura RDX, powered by a 272 horsepower Turbo Aluminum-alloy 4-Cylinder 16-Valve DOHC VTEC® engine mated to a 10-Speed Automatic Transmission, starts at $40,345 and will begin arriving at Acura dealers Nov. 2.


2023 Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan Edition Starts At $76,650

The 2023 Land Rover Discovery Metropolitan Edition seven-seat family SUV, powered by a 355 horsepower 3.0-liter Ingenium six-cylinder powertrain with an 8,200lb towing capacity, featuring 48V mild hybrid technology, is available to order now from $76,650 (including $1,350 destination and delivery). Features include bright Atlas detailing for the grille, Discovery lettering, Hakuba Silver lower bumper inserts, 22-inch Diamond Turned alloy wheels with Gloss Grey detailing and Black Land Rover brake calipers. Standard features inside include a head-up display, heated steering wheel, powered and heated third row seating, a front cooler compartment and four-zone climate control.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Thursday, October 14, 2021

2022 Lexus LX 600 - All-New Coming In 1st Quarter 2022

The all-new 2022 Lexus LX 600, its fourth generation, powered by a 409 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine mated to a Direct Shift-10AT, is lighter by 441 pounds compared to its predecessor and its body rigidity is increased for its body-on-frame build. The all-new LX features Multi-Terrain Select, which allows the driver to select from Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock modes to support off-road driving conditions. Crawl Control allows LX to move forward or in reverse at one of five driver-selected low-speed settings: LO, MIDL, MID, MIDH and HIGH. Crawl Control intuitively orchestrates the engagement and disengagement of engine output and hydraulic braking pressure to help reduce tire slippage and optimize chassis behavior. The Lexus Interface has a 12.3-inch upper touchscreen with added 7-inch lower touchscreen. It is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealers in the first quarter of 2022.

Maserati Ghibli and Levante F Tributo Special Edition Arrive This Month

Maserati celebrates its racing history with the F Tributo Special Edition, F for Fangio, the driver who made his mark and Tributo, meaning in homage or tribute. Available on Ghibli and Levante (pictured) in two exclusive colors, Rosso Tributo and Azzurro Tributo, and arrives at dealerships in the United States and Canada this month.  

2022 Toyota Highlander Starts At $36,420, Hybrid Bronze Edition At $45,095

The fourth-generation 2022 Toyota Highlander, available in either front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive, is powered by a 295-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission equipped to tow 5,000-pounds and includes Trailer Sway Control which uses the Vehicle Stability Control to help control unwanted trailer movement. The 2022 Highlander L FWD starts at $36,420 (including $1,215 destination, processing, handling fee). The Hybrid Bronze Edition (pictured), is powered by a 243 total hybrid system horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with two electric motors delivering up to an EPA-estimated 36 combined MPG and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds and will be offered at $45,095 for the FWD variant and $46,695 for the AWD variant. The Highlander Hybrid offers selectable NORMAL, ECO and SPORT driving modes plus the EV mode, which allows electric-only driving at low speeds for short distances. Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.5+) is standard across all grades.