Friday, November 28, 2014

2014 LA Auto Show Video: Fiat's Jason Stoicevich On 500X Coming Next Year


The all-new 2016 Fiat 500X, with seating for five, is the latest addition to the FIAT lineup in North America, available with a 160 horsepower 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine paired with a six-speed manual transmission, or a 180 horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 engine paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission on all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive models. The Fiat 500X is available with features like Uconnect 6.5 radio with a 6.5-inch high-resolution touchscreen and navigation, Bluetooth streaming audio, Uconnect Access Via Mobile, a 3.5-inch color thin-film transistor cluster display, Keyless Enter-N-Go, and heated front seats and steering wheel. The 2016 Fiat 500X, available in five trim levels: Pop, Easy, Lounge, Trekking and Trekking Plus, will arrive in FIAT studios in North America in the first half of 2015.

Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand for North America, discusses he new 2016 Fiat 500X and the Fiat brand.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

2014 LA Auto Show Video: Lexus' Jeff Bracken On NX200, LF-C2 Concept

 
Lexus LF-C2 concept 2+2 roadster which made its global debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show is a vision into the future for Lexus. The brilliant, golden yellow is produced by a multi-layer paint process. The first coat is a primer, followed by silver, a clear coat, then the yellow that reflects off the silver to give the brilliant luster. A final top coat is then applied.


Jeff Bracken, Group Vice President and General Manager of Lexus, Toyota Motor Sales USA luxury division discusses the LF-C2, Lexus NX200 which hits showrooms December 1st and other Lexus vehicles coming to market.

2014 LA Auto Show Video: Cadillac's Andrew Smith On 2016 ATS-V



The 2016 Cadillac ATS-V sedan and coupe (above) have a 455 horsepower 3.6L twin-turbocharged V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match, no-lift shifting and launch control or a paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission featuring launch control and Performance Algorithm Shift for a 0 - 60 mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of more than 185 mph. The ATS-V has 25-percent greater structural stiffness than non-V models, which contributes to more precise handling and more direct steering responsiveness. The ATS-V features a 5.7-inch, three-window instrument panel cluster display incorporating CUE with Bluetooth connectivity with natural voice recognition, text-to-voice that converts incoming text messages to speech and reads them over the audio system speakers, USB, auxiliary and SD memory card ports and OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Performance Data Recorder is controlled via CUE’s color touch screen and recordings can be reviewed on the screen when the vehicle is parked. 2016 Cadillac ATS-V sedan and coupe production begins in spring 2015.  

Andrew Smith, Executive Director, Global Cadillac Design discusses new ATS-V Sedan and Coupe.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

2014 LA Auto Show Video: Mazda's Jim O'Sullivan On New 2016 CX-3



The all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 (above) compact crossover SUV will be powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine in North America mated to an automatic transmission with either front- or all-wheel-drive. Output details and specifications will be revealed closer to launch in summer 2015.


The 2016 MX-5 Miata (right), with a curb weight approximately 200 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, is also powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine.

Mazda6 and CX-5 receive revised front and rear lights, LED lighting on certain trim levels, Mazda Connect, an electric parking brake and newly designed alloy wheels. Exclusive to Mazda6 is the addition of the edge-lit five-point grille on certain trim levels.

Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO of Mazda North American Operations discusses the new introductions.

2014 LA Auto Show Video: Volvo's Thomas Andersson




The 2015 Volvo V60 Cross Country (above), with 2.6 inches more ground clearance compared to the V60, made its world premier and the all-new 2016 Volvo XC90 its North American debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Volvo V60 Cross Country, with All-Wheel Drive and new Cross Country 18” and 19” wheels, will launch in the US and Canada with Volvo’s five-cylinder 250 horsepower gasoline engine coupled to an automatic transmission delivering 23 mpg. The V60 Cross Country comes standard with Hill Descent Control, which controls the car's speed automatically when driving down steep inclines. The driver can control the speed with the brake pedal or the accelerator when Hill Descent Control is activated. Sports seats in black leather with distinctive brown stitching will be available from launch, while two new two-tone leather upholsteries will be offered in early 2015.

Thomas Andersson, Vice President of Global Marketing, Volvo Cars Group discusses the new vehicles and the brand's future.

Monday, November 24, 2014

2014 LA Auto Show Video: MINI's David Duncan



The MINI Hardtop 4 door has room for five with a wheelbase that's 2.9 inches longer than the  MINI Hardtop 2 door and a body that's lengthened by 6.3 inches. A 133 horsepower 3-cylinder engine powers the MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door and a 188 horsepower 4-cylinder engine is in the MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door both mated to a newly developed 6-speed manual and 6-speed Steptronic transmissions.

Introduced to North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show last week, David Duncan, Vice President of MINI of the Americas discusses the vehicle and the brand.

Los Angeles Auto Show Coverage on KNX 1070 NewsRadio


Aired November 20, 2014 LIVE on KNX 1070 NewsRadio.

Lincoln MKX Concept


The Lincoln MKX Concept, first shown in Beijing in April, hints at a global SUV that will become the third of four all-new Lincoln vehicles due by 2016.

2015 Chrysler 300 Arrives Early Next Year

2015 Chrysler 300S
The new 2015 Chrysler 300 has a redesigned fascia with a 300 horsepower Pentastar V-6 engine has a starting price of $32,390 (including $995 destination), the same as its predecessor. In addition to the 300 Limited, new to the 2015 Chrysler 300S ($35,890), 300C ($38,890) and 300C Platinum ($43,390) models is a 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engine with four-cylinder mode Fuel Saver Technology mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. All-new interior design elements include a standard 7-inch full-color driver information display and electronic rotary transmission shifter, plus Chrysler brand’s new three-spoke steering wheel with larger vehicle controls and available die-cast paddle shifters. There are more than 80 available safety and security features, including new for 2015 Full-speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus with Full Stop, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist and 9-1-1 call/Assist Call. Production for the new 2015 Chrysler 300 sedan begins in the fourth quarter of 2014 at the Brampton, Ontario, Assembly Plant in Canada.

2016 Acura ILX Goes On Sale Early Next Year

The 2016 Acura ILX sports sedan gets 50 more horsepower with a new 201 horsepower 2.4-liter 16-valve, direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC engine and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with torque converter and paddle-controlled Sequential Sport Shift for all models, the same engine and transmission combination that powers the just-launched TLX. New front and rear styling cues include standard Jewel EyeTM LED headlights, front grille and rear LED combination lights, plus a restyled 17-inch, 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheel. The new ILX A-SPEC package features a sporty side sill garnish, trunk spoiler, front fog lights and new 18-inch, 10-spoke machined alloy wheels with gloss black insets.

All ILX models can be equipped with the AcuraWatch™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies that includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, a Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines, as well as Road Departure Mitigation and an enhanced Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (including Forward Collision Warning) with sensor fusion technology that enables new capabilities including pedestrian sensing. The Acura entry-level ILX goes on sale early next year.

2015 Nissan JUKE On Sale Now Staring At $21,075

The new 2015 Nissan JUKE sport cross, now on sale, features a revised exterior and enhanced standard equipment, plus a new JUKE "Color Studio" personalization program. The JUKE S Xtronic FWD starts at $21,075 (including destination and handling of $825) to the top-of-the-line JUKE NISMO RS Xtronic AWD starting at $30,845.

For 2015, JUKE gets a second-generation version of its 188 horsepower 1.6-liter Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) Turbo, 16-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy inline 4-cylinder engine, standard on JUKE S, SV, SL and NISMO models. The JUKE NISMO RS has 215 horsepower for the 6-speed manual transmission-equipped front-wheel drive model. The JUKE NISMO RS AWD with Xtronic transmission is rated at 211 horsepower. On S, SV and SL models, one transmission is offered: Nissan's advanced Xtronic transmission with Manual Mode and new D-step Logic Control while a 6-speed manual is available on NISMO and NISMO RS models. Fuel economy for Xtronic-equipped JUKEs has been increased for 2015 by 1 mpg city and combined for front-wheel drive models to 28/32/30 mpg city/highway/combined and by 1 mpg city, highway and combined for all-wheel drive models, now 26/31/28 mpg respectively.

2015 Nissan Murano Arrives Dec. 5 Starting At $30,445

The all-new 2015 Nissan Murano, in S, SV, SL and Platinum trim levels, in a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine connected to an advanced Xtronic transmission starts at $30,445 (including destination and handling of $885) for the Murano S FWD, while the top-of-the-line Murano Platinum AWD is priced at $41,485. Just three option packages are offered: Navigation Package (S), Premium Package (SV) and Tech Package (SL, Premium). The new Murano is scheduled to arrive at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning on December 5, 2014.

BMW i3 - Green Car of the Year Award 2015


The BMW i3 takes Green Car of the Year Award 2015 by Green Car Journal. One year after its launch, the BMW i3 is already the third best-selling all-electric automobile on the market with more than 12,000 sold since November 2013.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

2016 Mazda CX-3 Compact Crossover SUV Arrives Next Summer

The all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 compact crossover SUV powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter gasoline engine mated to the SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission exclusively in North America. Other markets will be the newly-introduced SKYACTIV-D 1.5-liter clean diesel engine. CX-3 will offer the Mazda Connect infotainment system and i-ACTIVSENSE advanced safety features. The CX-3 global launch starts in Japan next spring and in the U.S. next summer.

Bentley Grand Convertible - Los Angeles To Miami

 
Bentley Grand Convertible in Sequin Blue has a 530 horsepower 6¾-liter twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 811 lb.ft of torque - the same as in the flagship Mulsanne. 14 naturally tanned leather hides are merged together with progressive-diamond quilting, with the shape of the pattern changing over the seats and doors in a cabin sized for four adults.

With dark-stained Burr Walnut, the largest piece of wood veneer ever applied to a Bentley is finished with parallel lines of chromed steel.

After sitting at the Los Angeles Auto Show for a couple of weeks, the Grand Convertible will head to Miami's Art Basel international art show.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Ford Shelby® GT350 Mustang With More Than 500 Horsepower

All-new Ford Shelby® GT350 Mustang has more than 500 horsepower and torque peak above 400 lb.-ft. from a flat-plane 5.2-liter V8 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The 180-degree, flat-plane layout permits a cylinder firing order that alternates between cylinder banks, reducing the overlap of exhaust pressure pulses. When combined with cylinder-head and valvetrain advancements, this permits better cylinder breathing, further extending the performance envelope of the V8. An all-new integrated driver control system allows selection of five unique modes that tailor ABS, stability control, traction control, steering effort, throttle mapping, MagneRide tuning and exhaust settings, depending on driver preference. A standard Ford-tuned Torsen limited-slip differential optimizes cornering grip and straight-line traction.

Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Powered Sedan Coming In 2016

Toyota Mirai, which in Japanese means “future", is a new four-door fuel cell powered sedan that can travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, be refueled in under five minutes and emit only water vapor. In May, Toyota announced a $7.3 million loan to FirstElement Fuels to support the operations and maintenance of 19 hydrogen fueling stations across California while Toyota is collaborating with Air Liquide to develop and supply a phased network of 12 state-of-the-art hydrogen stations targeted for New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island ahead of the Mirai's 2016 arrival.

Scion iM Concept Debuts This Week At Los Angeles Auto Show

The new Scion iM Concept five-door compact hatchback with racing-style vented front rotors and 4-piston calipers work and adjustable height racing suspension with 19-inch forged alloy wheels and performance tires will be on display starting this weekend at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

2016 Audi TT Roadster and TTS Coupe Coming Second Half Of 2015


2016 Audi TT Roadster and TTS Coupe will feature a 220 horsepower 2.0L TFSI engine and the Audi TTS Coupe will have a 292 horsepower turbo 2.0L TFSI engine, both with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and mated to a six-speed dual clutch S tronic® transmission. The TT will be available as coupe and roadster and the TTS will be available as a coupe only.

2016 Audi TTS Coupe, European model
The all-new Audi TT will also feature the most advanced version of Audi connect®, including picture navigation, read-aloud news headlines, Facebook® and Twitter® alerts, access to more than 7,000 Web radio stations, personalized RSS news feeds and more. The third-generation Audi TT Roadster and TTS Coupe will make their U.S. debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show this week and arrive for sale on US shores during the second half of 2015.