2018: Automotive Visionary Sergio Marchionne Passed Away

Richard Saxton with Sergio Marchionne

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, chairman and CEO of FCA US LLC, the chairman and CEO of Ferrari, and the chairman of Maserati, Italian-Canadian lawyer and businessman, who turned around Fiat and Chrysler, was a big loss for the auto industry when he passed away on July 25, 2018, at the age 66, due to complications from shoulder surgery. Easy to talk to and a friend who I admired.

Articles: Global and Mail, Financial Times, Reuters.

Photo taken Jan. 11, 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD

The Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD chassis cab trucks, the first-ever medium-duty Silverado trucks, are in production and on their way to dealerships.

2019 Nissan Murano and Maxima Prices

The 2019 Nissan Murano, now on sale in available in S, SV, SL and Platinum trims and equipped with a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 connected to an advanced Xtronic transmission, is available in front-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, with a starting MSRP of $32,315 (including $1,045 destination and handling charge) for the Murano S front-wheel drive model.

The 2019 Nissan Maxima, with a mid-cycle freshening for its S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum trims levels, is powered by a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine and Xtronic transmission and is on sale now starting at $34,845 (including $895 destination and handling charge).

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric Crossover Starts Under $30,000 With Tax Credit

The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric crossover, with a 258-mile estimated range, has a starting price of $36,450, for an effective net price of $28,950 ($29,995 including delivery), with the electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500 factored in. Customers may receive the available federal tax credit of up to $7,500, dependent on individual tax circumstances. Kona Electric models will be produced in Ulsan, Korea and will be available in the beginning of 2019, with initial availability in California and subsequently in the ZEV-focused states in the western and northeastern regions of the U.S. market.

2019 Porsche Macan S Starts At $59,650 This Summer

The 2019 Porsche Macan S is refreshed with several chassis revisions, a continuous LED light bar at the rear, and the new Porsche Communication Management system with a 10.9-inch touchscreen and a new more powerful 348 horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine with a zero to 60 mph time of 5.1 seconds or 4.9 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package to a top track speed of 157 mph. LED headlights are now included as standard, while Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus is optional while a new brake pedal weighs around 300 g less than the previous steel part and connects to the brake master cylinder via a shortened lever arm for improved brake responsiveness and the 2019 model has larger front brake discs. With 100 more horsepower and costing almost $10,000 more than the base Macan, the new 2019 Macan S has a base MSRP of $59,650 (including a $1,050 delivery, processing and handling fee) and is available for order now and is expected to reach U.S. dealers in summer 2019.

2019 Nissan GT-R Starts At $101,685

The 2019 Nissan GT-R Pure, Premium and Track Edition grades are equipped with a 565-horsepower 3.8-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine mated to a dual-clutch sequential 6-speed transmission, electronically controlled ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system and the GT-R NISMO is rated at 600 horsepower. The 2019 GT-R Pure model, the most affordable of the four available GT-R trim levels, remains unchanged from 2018 with a a starting MSRP of $101,685 (including $1,695 destination and handling charge).

The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign, the ultimate 710 horsepower GT-R will have a 50-vehicle limited run with orders being taken now at GT-R50.nissan and deliveries to begin in 2019 continuing through 2020. Price tag is about $1,125,270.

Audi e-tron GT Concept Coming In Early 2021

The electric powered Audi e-tron GT Concept, a four-door coupe, will make its film debut in Marvel Studios’ Avengers 4, set to be released in theaters summer 2019 with the volume-production counterpart set to follow in approximately two years following the Audi e-tron SUV and the Audi e-tron Sportback slated for 2019. A 590 horsepower system feeding separate synchronous electric motors in the front and rear axles. The vehicle should accelerate from 0 to 62.1 mph in around 3.5 seconds before going on to 124.3 mph in just over 12 seconds to a regulated top speed 149.1 mph to maximize the range which is expected to be 248.5 miles (determined according to the new WLTP standard). Fitted with an 800-volt system reduces charging times to around 20 minutes to recharge the battery to 80 percent of its capacity, providing a range of 198.8 miles (WLTP). The project will be developed into volume-production models by the end of 2020. Initial deliveries will be made to customers in early 2021.

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, Limited Production of 200

The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, with only 200 to made, is powered by a 700 horsepower 6-cylinder aluminium twin-turbocharged rear-mounted boxer engine mated to a 7-speed PDK transmission, and will have an MSRP base price of $478,000 (excluding tax, shipping, and import fees). All interested customers should email GT2RSCS@porschemotorsport.com to register interest. Customers can expect to begin to receive their vehicles beginning in May 2019.

2019 Jaguar I-PACE Electric SUV Starts At $70,495

The new all-electric 2019 Jaguar I-PACE SUV with a 90kWh battery powering a pair of electric motors delivers an EPA Estimated range of up to 234 miles and 0-60mph acceleration of 4.5 seconds. A 0-80 percent charge is achieveable in approximately 40 minutes using a 100kW public fast charger, or just over 10 hours using a 230V/32amp charger. The Jaguar I-PACE features standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™7,8. Drivers can interact with key mobile apps through the vehicle’s central touchscreen in a manner similar to a smartphone, and certain functions can also be controlled via Voice Control. The Jaguar I-PACE, on sale now, is priced from $70,495 (including $995 destination and handling charge) in S, SE and HSE trim levels, with an additional First Edition model available for the first year only and each featuring all-wheel drive, four-corner air suspension, panoramic glass roof, and the new Jaguar InControl® Touch Pro Duo™ infotainment system standard.

2018 LA Auto Show Video: Rivian Founder/CEO RJ Scaringe

A surprising vehicle manufacturer appearance at the 2018 LA Auto Show was Rivian, an electric SUV and pickup truck startup that's two years away from offering trucks in the $60,000 price range after rebates. Founder/CEO RJ Scaringe discusses his creation.

Click here to watch the interview.

2018 LA Auto Show Video: Joy Falotico On Lincoln Aviator

Joy Falotico, Group Vice President of Lincoln and Chief Marketing Officer for Ford introduces the new 2020 Lincoln Aviator luxury SUV with a hybrid powertrain option at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Click here to watch interview.

2018 LA Auto Show Video: Kia's Paul Fisher On The 2020 Soul

Paul Fisher, Long Range Strategy and Product Planning Manager at Kia Motors America, discusses three new variants of the 2020 Kia Soul which were introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will go on sale in the first half of next year.

The new Soul will offer a 147 horsepower 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or Intelligent Variable Transmission or a 201 horsepower 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged I-4 GDI engine matched with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Soul is available in LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, EX, “EX Designer Collection” trim levels. The all-electric, battery-powered 2020 Soul EV has 201 horsepower with a new state-of-the-art liquid-cooled lithium ion polymer 64 kWh battery. Click here to view interview.

2018 LA Auto Show Video: Porsche Cars NA CEO Klaus Zellmer

Porsche Cars North America President and CEO Klaus Zellmer discusses the new Porsche 911, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, autonomous vehicles and the electric Taycan at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Please click here to watch the interview.

All-New Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback Coming Early Next Year

The all-new Mazda3, fully redesigned, will be rolled out to global markets starting from North America in early 2019. Hatchback model shown above.

2018 LA Auto Show Video: Erwin Raphael, Genesis Motor America

Erwin Raphael, General Manager, Genesis Motor America, discusses the 2019 Genesis G70 sedan and its recent awards:
2019 MotorTrend Car of the Year,
2019 Car and Driver 10Best Award,
2019 North American Car of the Year top-three finalist,
“Best Deluxe Car” by the Hispanic Motor Press.

Click here to watch interview.

2020 Lincoln Aviator Coming Soon

The all-new 2020 Lincoln Aviator seven passenger three row SUV, slotted between the Nautilus and Navigator in the SUV Lincoln line-up, is powered by either a standard twin-turbocharged 400 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission or in the Aviator Grand Touring, a twin-turbocharged engine and electrified technology targeted to deliver 450 horsepower. All Lincoln vehicles come standard with a suite of driver-assist features known as Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ including Traffic Jam Assist, Evasive Steer Assist, Reverse Brake Assist and Active Park Assist Plus. Lincoln’s Phone As A Key technology, debuting in the all-new Aviator, is activated through the Lincoln Way™ app allowing owners to lock and unlock, open the liftgate and, most importantly, start and drive the vehicle, all without a traditional key. Phone As A Key offers additional amenities. Drivers can recall individual preferences for Phone As A Key offers preferences for adjusting seat, mirror and steering column positions. Comfort and entertainment settings can be activated through the feature as well. Should a phone battery go dead, a passcode can be entered on the standard exterior keypad to gain entry then a backup code can be entered on the center touch screen to start and drive the vehicle. If a phone is lost or stolen, Phone As A Key can be easily deleted.

Eighth Generation Porsche 911 Arrives In The Summer

Porsche 911, 8th generation sports car is 1.8 inches wider and brings back a front luggage compartment lid in front of the windshield. The 911 S models are powered by a 443 horsepower twin-turbocharged flat-six engines mated to a new eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission with a manual transmission will be available at a later date. The top track speeds are now 191 mph (Carrera S) and 190 mph for the Carrera 4S all-wheel-drive version. Additional highlights include the standard Porsche Wet Mode to make driving on wet roads even safer, optional Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera, as well as comprehensive connectivity that uses swarm data when Porsche Connect Plus is activated. The 2020 911 Carrera S has a base price of $114,250 ($1,095 including the delivery, processing and handling fee) while the 2020 911 Carrera 4S will start at $121,695 and can be ordered now and are expected to reach U.S. dealers in Summer 2019.

2020 Hyundai Palisade 8 Passenger SUV Arrives In The Summer

The all-new 2020 Hyundai Palisade offers three-row seating for up to eight and power comes from a 291 horsepower Atkinson-cycle 3.8-liter V6, dual CVVT, direct-injected engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a multi-plate torque converter and offers both two-wheel and HTRAC® four-wheel-drive configurations. Palisade also offers a Blind View Monitor that complements the standard Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, which provides body-side views whenever the turn signal is activated. The audio and navigation display is a generous 10.25 inch touchscreen in widescreen format, coupled with a 12.3-inch fully-digital TFT center instrument cluster offering various view modes and differentiated drive mode illumination. Palisade’s available Heads-Up Display projects a virtual image onto the windshield with information such as speed, Smart Cruise Control status, navigation, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, speed limits, Lane Following Assist and audio system data.The Palisade will be produced in Ulsan, Korea and will be available at dealerships across the U.S. in the summer of 2019.

2020 Jeep® Gladiator On Sale In 2nd Quarter 2019

The all-new 2020 Jeep® Gladiator features a five-foot steel bed, is available in Sport, Sport S, Overland and Rubicon trims and is powered by a 285 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine at launch with a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine being offered in 2020. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on all Gladiator models equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, and an eight-speed automatic transmission is optional.A 7.0- or an available 8.4-inch touchscreen houses the fourth-generation Uconnect system.  The Gladiator has up to 7,650 pounds of towing capacity and up to 1,600 pounds of payload capacity. The Mopar brand will offer more than 200 new or redesigned Jeep Performance Parts and accessories for owners to personalize the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator at launch. Built in Toledo, Ohio, the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator arrives in showrooms in the second quarter of 2019.

All-New Honda Passport Goes On Sale Early Next Year

The all-new Honda Passport, on a reinforced unibody frame and powered by a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 engine with i-VTEC® valvetrain mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, slots between the CR-V and Pilot in Honda's SUV lineup. Sport, upgraded EX-L, high-tech Touring, and the fully equipped all-wheel drive Elite comprise the four trim levels with all models featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and tires, the Honda Sensing® suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technology, LED headlights, fog lights, taillights and DRLs, Smart Start and Smart Entry and three-zone automatic climate control. All models except the all-wheel drive Elite can be configured with 2- or all-wheel drive with i-VTM4™ that uses active torque vectoring to send up to 70 percent of engine torque to the rear axle and 100 percent of that torque to either the left or right rear wheels. Honda Sensing® on all trims includes Collision Mitigation Braking System™ featuring Forward Collison Warning, Road Departure Mitigation including Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance System and Adaptive Cruise Control. The all-new Honda Passport goes on sale early next year.