All-New 2023 Toyota Crown Makes An Electrified Comeback In Early 2023

The all-new 2023 Toyota Crown, available in XLE, Limited and Platinum trims, powered by Hybrid MAX with a manufacturer estimated 340 net horsepower exclusive to the Platinum grade, with front and rear electric motors paired with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and direct shift 6-speed automatic transmission delivering an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined city/highway fuel economy rating. The XLE and Limited grades are equipped with the Toyota Hybrid system that pairs front and rear electric motors with a 2.5-liter engine producing an EPA-estimated 41 MPG combined city/highway rating. All Toyota Crown models feature Toyota’s Audio Multimedia system featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Toyota Crown starts at $39,950 for the XLE grade, $45,550 for the Limited grade and $52,350 for the Platinum grade. Toyota Crown is expected to arrive at Toyota dealerships in early 2023.

2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition Pickup Starting At $108,695 In Early 2024

The 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition gets a GM-estimated range of 400 miles on a full charge from a GM-estimated 754 horsepower front and rear electric drive unit system. An onboard Power Station Pro turns Sierra EV Denali into a mobile power source, with up to 10.2kW of off-board power that can be used in a variety of situations. The Sierra EV Denali Edition will be offered exclusively in a Crew Cab model with an integrated 5-foot, 11-inch cargo bed. Its storage capacity is maximized with the innovative MultiPro Midgate™, which provides 9 feet of storage between the cab and the tailgate, when the Midgate is open. A trailering package comes standard on the Sierra EV Denali Edition with up to 9,500 pounds of trailering capacity and up to 1,300 pounds of payload. Deliveries of the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition are expected to begin in early 2024, with a starting MSRP of $108,695 (including estimated destination freight charge of $1,695). Further details for the full range of Sierra EV models will be announced closer to the start of production, with MSRPs starting around $51,695. 

Hyundai Grandeur All-New 7th Generation Flagship

The seventh-generation Hyundai Grandeur, badged as flagship Azera in markets outside Korea, comes six years after the sixth generation launched in 2016.

Porsche 911 Carrera T Starts At $118,050 Next Spring

Porsche is adding the 911 Carrera T (Touring) variant to the 911 model line positioned between the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S and will be powered by a 379 horsepower twin-turbo six-cylinder engine equipped with a seven-speed manual transmission or optional eight-speed PDK available as well for no additional cost. The top track speed is 181 mph regardless of transmission choice. The 911 Carrera T will reach U.S. dealers by Spring 2023 and has an MSRP of $118,050 (including a $1,450 delivery, processing and handling fee).

2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan Adds 30 Horsepower

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan is powered by a 169-horsepower 2.0L Dynamic Force four-cylinder engine replacing a 139-hp 1.8L engine connected to the standard Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission. The 2023 Corolla Sedans receive new front fascia styling which varies across grades, LED daytime running lights and a new 8-inch Touchscreen with Toyota Audio Multimedia along with two rear-seat USB-C ports for a total of four in the car. The LE in addition adds an updated rear bumper design, while the SE and XSE feature new 18-inch Gloss Graphite-colored alloy wheels. Toyota Safety Sense technology in Corolla evolves to version 3.0 and includes enhanced versions of Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert system and Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking are optional. 

2023 Mazda CX-30 Starts At $24,225

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 is powered by a 191 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter engine with an increase of five horsepower and two miles per gallon in each of the EPA estimated figures of city, highway, and combined, and i-Activ AWD system as standard. The CX-30 Turbo Premium has the 250 horsepower Skyactiv-G 2.5 Turbo four-cylinder engine. The CX-30 2.5 S starts at $24,225 (including $1,275 for destination and handling).

Rolls-Royce Spectre EV Launches 2023 Q4

The Rolls-Royce Spectre Ultra-Luxury Electric Super Coupé fully-electric car is expected to have an all-electric range of 320 miles from its 430kW powertrain according to preliminary data that will be refined before its fourth quarter of 2023 launch. Spectre pricing will be positioned between Cullinan ($341,500 - $394,500) and Phantom ($465,000 - $545,000). Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems.

Lotus Eletre EV SUV Debuts This Week

The Lotus Eletre pure electric SUV will be unveiled this week.

2023 Acura RDX Starts At $42,545

The 2023 Acura RDX, powered by a 272 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, has been updated with new styling, new colors, improved driving dynamics, a quieter and more comfortable cabin and comes with three years of AcuraLink™ services, including Security and Remote packages, at no extra cost. RDX customers for the first time get a complimentary maintenance plan offered to purchasers for the first two years or 24,000 miles. The 2023 Acura RDX, available fourth-generation Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™, starts at $42,545 (including $1,195 destination and handling).

2024 Chevrolet Trax Starts At $21,495 In The Spring Of 2023

The all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax, offered in LS, 1RS, LT, 2RS and ACTIV trims, is powered by a 137 horsepower 1.2L turbocharged inline-three engine, and has grown by 11-inches and is 2 inches wider than the current model translating to 3 inches more rear legroom and maximum cargo capacity that increases by nearly 12%. The all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax goes on sale in the Spring of 2023 starting at $21,495 (not disclosed if destination charge is included). 

Polestar 3 Electric SUV Coming In 2024

The Polestar 3 electric performance SUV, with a range of up to 379 miles, produces a total of 489 horsepower and with the optional Performance Pack, total output is 517 horsepower. A decoupling function is also available for the rear electric motor, allowing the car to run only on the front electric motor to save energy under certain circumstances. Polestar 3 is the first car from Polestar to feature centralized computing with the NVIDIA DRIVE core computer, running software from Volvo Cars. Serving as the AI brain, NVIDIA’s high-performance automotive platform processes data from the car’s multiple sensors and cameras to enable advanced driver-assistance safety features and driver monitoring. First deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter of 2023 with supply to North American and other markets is planned for around the middle of 2024.

New BMW M2 Starts At $63,195 In April

The second generation BMW M2, powered by a 453 horsepower M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine mated to a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, is 4.1 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and 0.3 inches lower than its predecessor. The new BMW M2 is equipped as standard with Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, Dynamic Cruise Control, Front Collision Warning with brake intervention, and Lane Departure Warning. The new BMW M2 has an electrically operated glass slide/tilt moonroof offering a glass surface now larger by nearly 20 percent compared with the outgoing model is standard equipment. A weight-reducing M Carbon roof panel is optional and deletes the moonroof. The new M2 will start at $63,195 (including $995 destination and handling) when its launched globally in April.

2023 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid Starting At $35,035 Now

The 2023 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid, with an all-electric range of 33 miles and rated at 108 MPGe, has 180 horsepower from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with a 62 kW electric motor, with power sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch transmission. The 2023 Niro Plug-in Hybrid is arriving to dealers now in all 50 states starting at $35,035 (including $1,295 destination).

2023 Kia Telluride Starts At $37,025 This Month

The 2023 Kia Telluride three-row SUV, powered by a 291 horsepower Atkinson Cycle LAMBDA II 3.8L V6 GDI engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission pricing starts from $37,025 (including $1,335 destination) at Kia retailers nationwide in this month.

2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible, LC 500 and LC 500h Coming Soon

The 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is powered by a 471 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with a Direct-Shift 10-speed automatic transmission. The Convertible posts a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds and its maximum track speed is electronically limited to 168 mph. The roof can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 mph taking approximately 15 seconds to open and approximately 16 seconds to close. The 2023 LC Convertible comes standard with Lexus Safety System that includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Intelligent High Beams. Also like the LC 500 coupe, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert come standard. The 2023 LC 500 Convertible will have an MSRP of $101,500 (including $1,150 delivery, processing, and handling fee) and is expected to arrive in dealerships in late 2022.

The LC 500h powered by an Multistage Hybrid System including an Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine and adds a unique four-speed automatic transmission for a combined system output of 354 horsepower. The LC 500h uses a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery. The battery pack fits neatly between the rear seats and the luggage compartment and has a high-power density, with its 84 cells producing 310.8 volts. The LC 500h will start at $100,600 when it arrives in dealerships in November along with the 2023 LC 500, like the convertible, powered by a 471 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with a Direct-Shift 10-speed automatic transmission and will start at $94,600.

2023 Toyota Highlander Gets New Engine

The 2023 Toyota Highlander gas models are now equipped with a new 265-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine replacing the 3.5-liter V6 engine and with an EPA-estimate of up to 25 combined MPG. Arriving at dealerships nationwide this month, the 2023 Highlander with the new turbo engine will have a starting MSRP of $37,755 and the 2023 Highlander Hybrid will have a starting MSRP of $41,555. (including $1,335 delivery, processing, and handling fee).

Honda Prologue BEV Coming in 2024

The all-new Honda Prologue battery-electric SUV, positioned above CR-V and alongside Passport, will come to market in North America in 2024. 

Hyundai IONIQ 6 - 380 Miles Range Per Charge

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 electrified streamliner will deliver 380 miles of all-electric range per charge, according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure. It goes on sale later this year in select markets in Europe and next year in North America. 

Audi R8 Coupe V10 GT RWD Coming Next Year

The new Audi R8 Coupe V10 GT RWD, powered by a  602 horsepower 5.2 liter, naturally aspirated V10 engine mated to a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster shifts and the new Torque Rear driving mode allows drivers to choose their own level of ESC support. The new R8 GT is based on the second edition 562 horsepower R8 V10 performance RWD. The R8 GT is limited to 333 units worldwide and will be available at dealerships starting in 2023. 

Orange Country Auto Show Open This Weekend In Anaheim

The Orange Country Auto Show is open at the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend and though all manufacturers are not represented, there are ride and drive experiences in Jeeps and and electric vehicles. 

Displays staged by Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Nissan, Ram, Toyota, Volkswagen plus electric vehicles from Audi, BMW, Genesis, Mini and Porsche. There are electrified rides provided by Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Nissan, Volkswagen. Dealerships put exotic vehicles on exhibit, like McLaren. 

If you're shopping for a compact SUV, there's plenty of choice to check out: Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Ford Escape, Lexus NX, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, VW Taos, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Renagade to name a few. There are trucks, large SUVs and sports cars. 

The OC Auto Show ends tomorrow, Sunday Oct. 2. For more info: https://www.autoshowoc.com/