Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class

The Mercedes-Benz Concept CLA Class, the forerunner for an entirely new all-electric segment of entry-level vehicles at Mercedes-Benz, coming in a four-door coupe, a shooting brake and two SUVs. The next-generation 800 V electric-drive system drivetrain has a range of more than 466 miles and rapid charging of up to 248 miles in 15 minutes. The 175 kW permanently excited synchronous machine is paired with a two-speed transmission. The MO360 production system allows Mercedes-Benz to produce electric, hybrid and petrol models on the same production line and to scale the manufacturing of electric vehicles in line with market demand. Mercedes-Benz aims to achieve net carbon neutrality along the entire value chain in its fleet of new vehicles in 2039.

All-Electric MINI Cooper and Countryman

The all-electric MINI Cooper, available in the Cooper E with a 135 kW/184 horsepower electric motor delivering a range of 190 miles determined in the WLTP test cycle and the Cooper SE with an output of 160 kW/218 horsepower with 250 mile range. Within the new MINI family, “Cooper” refers to all MINI 3-door and 5-door models, and also the MINI Convertible. It is no longer used as an engine specification. The new all-electric MINI Countryman has grown by 5.1 inches in length and is powered by a 150 kW/204 horsepower electric motor in the MINI Countryman E delivering a range of 287 miles and 230 kW/313 horsepower of electric motors of the all-wheel drive MINI Countryman SE delivering a range of 269 miles for the MINI Countryman SE ALL4. In addition, the MINI Aceman will premiere in April 2024 as a crossover in the premium small car segment. 

2024 Chrysler Pacifica Offers Hybrid Variant

The 2024 Chrysler Pacifica, with seating available for up to eight passengers, is powered a 287 horsepower 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine mated to a 9 speed automatic transmission and 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid's dual-motor eFlite electrically variable transmission paired with a modified version of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 gasoline engine delivers more than 80 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) in electric-only mode, an all-electric range of more than 30 miles and a total range of more than 500 miles. The Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Pacifica delivers available all-wheel-drive capability paired with Stow ‘n Go seating and available Stow ‘n Vac system. 

2024 INFINITI QX80 Starts At $76,045 Soon

The 2024 INFINITI QX80 flagship SUV, powered by a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission rated to tow up to 8,500 pounds, arrives in showrooms this month with a starting MSRP of $76,045 (including $1,895 destination and handling charge) for the QX80 LUXE and $79,195 with All-Mode® Four-Wheel Drive. The QX80 PREMIUM SELECT is $80,680 and $83,780 with 4WD. The QX80 SENSORY $87,730 and $90,830 with 4WD. Standard connectivity features include a widescreen, high-definition 12.3-inch INFINITI InTouch display that includes navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay®, USB-based Android Auto™ compatibility and Amazon Alexa® that can play music, place calls, control compatible smart home devices and more, with only voice commands.

2024 Hyundai Elantra Gets New Fascias This Fall

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra, powered by a 147 horsepower 2.0L Inline 4-cylinder engine, 201 horsepower 1.6L Inline 4-cylinder turbo engine, both mated to a Smartstream® Intelligent Variable Transmission , 276 horsepower 2.0L turbo engine (for the N) or a 139 horsepower total output 1.6L engine combined with hybrid electric motor. New for 2024 are a new shark-nose front, new rear fascia and thinner LED daytime running lights. New and standard on all trims are rear side airbags, new rear seat belt reminder, steering wheel haptic feedback added to Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. The 2024 Elantra goes on sale this Fall.

2024 Hyundai Sonata Adds AWD This Winter

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan is powered by a choice of a 191 horsepower 2.5L engine, 290 horsepower 2.5L turbo engine or 180 horsepower 2.0L hybrid electric mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai TRACtion (HTRAC) AWD system mated to the 2.5L engine is now available on Sonata for the first time actively distributing torque between the front and rear wheels, depending on road conditions and driving situations. The Sonata is equipped with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 1.5, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, Blind-spot Collision Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, available Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, and available Highway Driving Assist. The new 2024 Sonata goes on sale this Winter. 

Thursday, August 31, 2023

2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Starts At $148,550 In Q2 of 2024

The new 2024 Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid is powered by an electric motor generating 174 horsepower combined with a 591 horsepower four-liter V8 twin-turbo engine delivers total system output of 729 horsepower. Compared to its predecessor, the new Cayenne E-Hybrid models have a significantly larger 25.9 kWh high-voltage battery and the new 11-kW on-board charger can reduce the charging time to less than 2.5 hours using a suitable wall charger, even with the increased battery capacity. The new Turbo E-Hybrid Cayenne variant is the second of three hybrid models for the Cayenne that Porsche will introduce this year. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid has an MSRP of $148,550 (including the $1,650 delivery, processing and handling fee), while the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe has an MSRP of $153,050. The Turbo E-Hybrid models can be ordered now and are expected to reach U.S. dealers in Q2 of next year. 

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB Coming With Updates 1st Half of 2024

The updated the all-electric 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ delivers 188 horsepower with a range of 271 to 333 miles, the EQB 300 4Matic has 225 horsepower with a range of 246 to 278 miles and the EQB 350 4Matic with 288 horsepower has the same range of 246 to 278 miles. When the charging cable is plugged in, the charging process starts automatically and customers do not need to additionally authenticate themselves. The vehicle and charging station communicate directly via the charging cable. As an optional seven-seater, the two third row seats can fit people up to 5.4 ft. tall or child seats. With three display styles (classic/sporty/discreet), three modes (navigation/assistance/service) and the 10 color worlds of ambient light, the graphics of the screens can be individualized. The 2024 EQB will arrive at U.S. dealerships first half of 2024. The current model EQB starts around $54,000.

Rolls-Royce Amethyst and La Rose Noire Droptail Roadsters

Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail (above), a roadster body type with removeable hardtop, is one of four from Rolls-Royce Coachbuild that began in 2017 with Sweptail, a two-door coupé, followed by the Boat Tail in 2021, and La Rose Noire Droptail (below). Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate, unrelated company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems.



2024 Volkswagen Atlas Starts At $39,075

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, powered by a 269 horsepower four-cylinder turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, comes in SE, SE w/ Technology, Peak Edition SE w/ Technology, SEL, Peak Edition SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line trim levels starting at $39,075 (including the $1,350 destination charge). MSRP for the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport 2.0-liter starts at $38,065. The seven-seater Atlas lineup adds the Atlas Peak Edition trimline for 2024. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is available across the model lineup.

Lamborghini Lanzador Concept Previews 2028 Vehicle

The Lamborghini Lanzador concept has a power electric motor on each axle delivering a peak power of over one megawatt. The all-wheel drive offers active e-torque vectoring on the rear axle for cornering. Lamborghini calls their fourth model concept, the Ultra GT, in a new car segment. The Lanzador gives an insight into the series model to be built from 2028.

Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Mulliner

The Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Mulliner, Bentley's new luxury flagship, is powered by a 550 horsepower 32-valve dual twin-scroll turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission powering all four wheels. At speeds below 37 mph the All Wheel Steering has the effect of ‘shortening’ the wheelbase, reducing the turning circle, and increasing agility in tight urban environments making parking noticeably easier. The rear compartment, available in 4+1 and 4-seat configurations, features the Bentley Airline Seat specification with 22-ways of adjustment. The auto climate seat technology senses occupant temperature and surface humidity and then determines whether to apply heat, ventilation or both simultaneously to keep the occupant at optimum thermal wellbeing. The new Bentayga EWB Mulliner joins the Flying Spur Mulliner, Continental GT Mulliner and Continental GT Convertible Mulliner.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

2025 Ford Mustang® GTD For $300,000 Late 2024, Early 2025

The all-new 2025 Ford Mustang® GTD, inspired by the Mustang GT3, in a carbon fiber Mustang body, is powered by an estimated 800 horsepower supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine sent to the rear wheels through a carbon fiber driveshaft connected to an 8-speed rear transaxle for near 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear. Production of Mustang GTD will be limited, and pricing is expected to begin at approximately $300,000 and will be available in late 2024, early 2025.

New All-electric 2024 Acura ZDX Coming Early Next Year

The new all-electric 2024 Acura ZDX, offered as the ZDX A-Spec in both single-motor (rear-wheel-drive) and dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) configurations, is expected to start in the $60,000 range. The ZDX Type S, with an estimated 500-horsepower with an EPA range rating of 325 zero-emission miles with a dual-motor AWD powertrain is expected to start in the $70,000 range. ZDX features a combined 22-inches of high-definition digital screen real estate with a standard Precision Cockpit Driver Information Cluster (11-inches) and Center Information Screen (11.3 inches) with an intuitive touchscreen interface and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility. Pre-sale activities for ZDX will start later this year, with first client deliveries slated for early 2024. 

2024 Toyota GR Supra Starts At $46,635 This Fall

The 2024 Toyota GR Supra is powered by a choice of a 255 horsepower 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine or a 382 horsepower 3.0-liter twin scroll turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission. A 45th Anniversary Edition, available in a choice of fiery orange Mikan Blast or icy white Absolute Zero, is equipped with an elevated gloss black rear spoiler, 19-inch matte black wheels and is available in a choice of Manual or Automatic Transmission. All models have a double joint-type MacPherson front and multi-link independent rear suspension, Normal, Sport, and Individual modes, sport calibrated electronic power steering, and dual rear exhaust outlets. The 2024 GR Supra is expected to arrive on dealer lots this Fall starting at $46,635 (including $1,095 dealer processing and handling) for the GR Supra 2.0 model and $55,595 for the GR Supra 3.0 model.

2024 Nissan Altima Starts At $26,825 Now

The 2024 Nissan Altima, restyled for the 2023 model year, is powered by either a 188 horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder direct-injection engine mated to a Xtronic transmission for front-wheel-drive models (182 horsepower with AWD) delivering 27 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 32 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive S and SV grades, and 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive SR and SL models, or an available an 248 horsepower 2.0-liter Variable Compression Turbo engine. Nissan Safety Shield® 360 which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking is standard on every Altima. The 2024 Nissan Altima, on sale now, starts at $26,825 (including $1,095 destination and handling).

Monday, August 14, 2023

Test Drive: 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition $48,515

Richard Saxton test drives and reviews the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition. The Toyota 4Runner, powered by a 270-horsepower DOHC 4.0-liter V6 engine with 278 lb.-ft. of peak torque mated to a five-speed ECT-i automatic transmission, has reached the 40-year mark with the 2023 model year and, to celebrate, Toyota is offering a 4WD-only 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition with a limited production of 4,040 vehicle available for the U.S. market. On sale now starting at $48,515 (including $1,395 delivery, processing, and handling fee). As of mid-August 2023, about 2,600 have been sold. Based on the SR5 Premium grade 4Runner, the 40th Anniversary Edition is available in White, Midnight Black Metallic and this Barcelona Red Metallic exterior color. 

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Sunday, August 13, 2023

2023 Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon FarOut For $71,790 In Q3

The limited-edition 2023 Jeep® Gladiator Rubicon FarOut edition, powered by a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine mated to the TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission, marks the the end of Gladiator EcoDiesel production with 1,000 vehicles for the 2023 model year. The 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon FarOut edition is priced at $71,790 (including $1,795 destination), and available for ordering through the end of September 2023, with deliveries beginning in the third quarter of 2023.

2024 Subaru Forester Starts At $28,190 This Fall

The 2024 Subaru Forester, offered in Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited and Touring trims, is powered by a 182 horsepower 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive engine paired to a Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) delivering an EPA-estimated 33 mpg on highways. The compact SUV will begin arriving in Subaru retailers this Fall with a starting price of $28,190 ( including $1,295 destination & delivery).

2024 Nissan Pathfinder Starts At $37,145 Now

The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder, offered in  S, SV, Rock Creek, SL and Platinum trims, is powered by a 284 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine on the S, SV, SL, Platinum and 295 horsepower on the Rock Creek, mated to a 9-speed automatic with manual shift mode paddle shifters and electronic shift-by-wire drive selector. The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder is on sale now with a starting MSRP of $37,145 (including $1,335 destination and handling charge). Every Pathfinder features standard Nissan Safety Shield 360®, NissanConnect® with an 8-inch touchscreen (9-inch available). Available advanced technology includes a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, a 10.8-inch head-up display and class-exclusive Intelligent Around View® Monitor.