Friday, April 15, 2022
Ford Flashback Video: J Mays, VP Design 1997-2013
J Mays, incoming Vice President of Design at Ford Motor Company in 1997, is interviewed by Richard Saxton about his background in Germany, including Audi, and his design ideas and methods at the introduction of the 1998 model Lincoln Continental and Town Car. During his tenure at Ford through 2013, Mays design oversight covered Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Aston Martin brands.
Ford Flashback Video: Jack Telnack, VP of Design 1980-1997
Jack Telnack, Vice President of Design at Ford Motor Company from 1980 to 1997, in a 1997 interview with Richard Saxton, discusses his years at Ford, his design methods and the 1998 Lincoln Town Car. Telnack is best known for the 1979 Ford Mustang, 1983 Ford Thunderbird and the 1986 Ford Taurus.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Toyota bZ4X SUV Starts At $42,000 This Spring
The all-electric Toyota bZ4X SUV, 3.7 inches longer than the RAV4 and offered XLE and Limited grades. The 201 horsepower Front Wheel Drive has an EPA-estimated range rating of up to 252 miles delivering 131 MPGe city, 107 MPGe highway and 119 MPGe combined. The 214 horsepower All-Wheel Drive has an EPA-estimated range of up to 228 miles for 114 MPGe city, 94 MPGe highway and 104 MPGe combined. The bZ4X comes standard with a 12.3-inch widescreen Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The Toyota bZ4X SUV with “bZ,” standing for “Beyond Zero,” will have a starting MSRP of $42,000 this Spring.
2023 Nissan LEAF Gets Refreshed
2023 Nissan LEAF, available in LEAF S and LEAF SV PLUS grade levels, gets a refreshed front grille, bumper molding and headlights that feature a new black inner finish. The 2023 LEAF S is equipped with a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery and 110-kW electric motor that delivers 147 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The 2023 Nissan LEAF SV PLUS features a 60-kWh lithium-ion battery and a powerful 160-kW electric motor that produces 214 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. EPA range estimates for both models will be available closer to launch, however range is expected to be similar to 2022 models.
2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Starts At $28,505 This Spring
The all-new 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid (HEV), powered by a hybrid powertrain combining a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a 44-kW motor for 227 horsepower channeled to either the front wheels or distributed through an active all-wheel-drive system targeted to achieve up to 39 mpg and more than 500 miles of driving range. 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid starts at $28,505 (including $1,215 destination) with an on-sale date this Spring.
2023 Honda HR-V Coming This Summer
The 2nd-generation all-new 2023 Honda HR-V, based on the 11th generation Honda Civic (powered by a 158 horsepower 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® In-Line 4-Cylinder engine or a 180 horsepower turbo-charged engine), is larger than its predecessor with a longer wheelbase and wider stance with a new grille and longer hood is set to launch this Summer.
Mercedes-AMG EQS Starts At $148,550 This Spring
The new Mercedes-AMG EQS, with an output of up to 649 horsepower and a boost function that provides up to 751 horsepower with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ variable all-wheel drive system, is based on the Mercedes-EQ and starts from $148,550 (including $1,050 destination and delivery charge). Like the EQS from Mercedes-EQ, the suspension of the new Mercedes-AMG EQS features a four-link axle at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear. The AMG RIDE CONTROL+ suspension is based on AIRMATIC air suspension combined with adaptive, electronically controlled adjustable damping together with rear-axle steering of up to 9-degrees as standard. The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan will arrive in U.S. dealerships in late Spring of 2022.
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Lotus Eletre 4WD Hyper-SUV Coming Later This Year
The all-new, all-electric Lotus Eletre 4WD Hyper-SUV has power outputs starting at 600 horsepower, with a 350kW charge time of 20 minutes for 248 mile range and accepts 22kW AC charging with a target driving range of 373 miles on full charge. The LIDAR system supports end-to-end autonomous driving technology. Manufacturing at all-new hi-tech facility in China to start later this year.
2023 Ford F-150 Rattler On Sale This Fall
The 2023 Ford F-150 Rattler, built off the XL series, with FX4 content featuring skid plates, electronic rear-locking differential, hill descent control, and specially tuned off-road shock absorbers. The 2023 F-150 Rattler goes on sale this Fall.
2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema Arrive In Q3
2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema (above), based on the top-of-the line Veloce trim, is a limited-edition series powered by a 280 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to standard Q4 all-wheel drive on Stelvio Estrema (optional Q4 on Giulia Estrema). The Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema RWD starts at 56,685 (including $1,595 destination charge) and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema AWD at $58,685. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Estrema AWD starts at $60,545. Ordering for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Stelvio Estrema is now open with availability in the third quarter of 2022.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Maserati Grecale Modena Coming This Fall
Maserati Grecale Modena Limited Edition SUV, only available via online reservation for delivery starting Fall 2022, is powered by a 325 horsepower four-cylinder mild hybrid engine. The Grecale SUV will begin arriving in the US, Canada, Fall of 2022. Online reservations require a $500 refundable deposit to your preferred Maserati dealership. At launch, the Maserati Grecale Modena will come in the 296 horsepower GT powered by a four-cylinder mild hybrid engine, the 325 horsepower Modena, and the high performance 523 horsepower 3.0L V6 Trofeo. Completing the line up is the the 100% electric Grecale Folgore with 400V technology.
2022 Jeep® Renegade RED Starts At $31,185
Special-edition RED 2022 Jeep® Renegade, powered by a 177 horsepower 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with Jeep Active Drive full-time 4x4 automatic system, starts at $31,185 (including $1,595 destination) for the Latitude trim-based special-edition. All Renegade models are equipped with more than 70 standard and available safety and security features, including Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Blind-spot Monitoring and Active Lane Management System.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage Available To Order Soon
The new Aston Martin V12 Vantage, powered by a 690 horsepower 5.2 liter Twin Turbo engine mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, will be limited to 333 units globally with deliveries scheduled to begin Q2 2022.
2022 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series Coming Soon
The 2022 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series, limited to 150 units, starts at $104,500 for the Coupe and $115,580 for the Convertible (above), and will arrive in dealerships beginning in late Spring 2022.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
The new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV will be the third model on Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated electric vehicle architecture with a 12.3-inch OLED display provides the front passenger with their own display and control area.
2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coming Later This Year
The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 63, powered by the 575 horsepower AMG 4.0-liter V8 Bi-Turbo engine mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, and the 630 horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S will receive technical and visual upgrades with the standard-fit AMG RIDE CONTROL+ based on Air Body Control suspension featuring adaptive, electronically controlled adjustable damping. The suspension control unit analyzes data including information from the acceleration and wheel path sensors to adjust the damping force for each wheel in a few milliseconds to suit the situation. The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe V8 models will arrive at US dealerships later this year.
Thursday, March 10, 2022
2023 Acura Integra Coming This Spring For Around $30,000
The 2023 Acura Integra 5-door liftback, powered by a 200 horsepower VTEC®-enhanced DOHC 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, will start at around $30,000, with reservations underway for delivery this Spring. The first 500 customers to reserve their next gen Integra will have the opportunity to claim a limited edition NFT. The 2023 Integra comes standard with a 10.2-inch Acura Precision Cockpit™ digital gauge cluster with an available 16-speaker ELS STUDIO 3D® premium audio system and an available A-Spec® sport-appearance package.
All-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz Coming To The U.S. In 2024
The all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz lineup will come to European market with 82 kWh battery powering 201 horsepower electric motor in the third quarter of this year, with more battery versions with various power output levels expected to follow in 2023. The standard length ID. Buzz will launch with five seats while the ID. Buzz Cargo van will have three seats in the front. A long-wheelbase passenger model will debut for the North American market in 2023 and go on sale in 2024. The standard wheelbase measures 117.6 inches with a total length of 185.5 inches and 78.1 inches wide, excluding wing mirrors. With DC-fast charging, the battery charge level rises from 5 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. Details for the U.S. version will be available closer to launch.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
Jeep® Battery-electric Vehicle Revealed
The first-ever 100% battery-electric Jeep® SUV will be launched early next year. More information on the Jeep battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be released in the coming months.
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 Starts At $41,955 Before Credits
The 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro electric SUV has an EPA-estimated 280 miles of range, which is an increase of 20 miles from the 2021 model while the ID.4 Pro S rear-wheel-drive received an EPA-estimated range of 268 miles, the AWD Pro was rated at an EPA-estimated 251 miles of range and the AWD Pro S was rated at an EPA-estimated 245 miles of range. All ID.4 models offer an 82kWh (gross) battery along with a permanent-magnet synchronous motor in the rear, offering 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 AWD adds a 107 horsepower asynchronous electric motor on the front axle for a maximum output of 295 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. Pricing for the 2022 ID.4 starts at $41,955 (including $1,195 destination charge) for the rear-wheel-drive Pro model, before a potential Federal tax credit of up to $7,500. The ID.4 AWD Pro starts at $45,635. Pro S models are priced from $46,455 for rear-wheel drive and $50,135 for all-wheel drive.