Category Archives: new vehicle

First Look – 2027 Model Year Toyota Land Cruiser

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Toyota (NYSE: TM, 7203T) said today that the 2027 model-year Land Cruiser revealed last fall will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $57,880. [excludes $1450 Dealer Processing and Handling Fee, which can vary – AutoCrat] when it finally arrives at dealerships this spring. Land Cruiser is offered in two grades the retro-look Land Cruiser 1958 and Land Cruiser.

“Both Land Cruisers are equipped exclusively by the turbocharged i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and a full-time four-wheel drive system. This performance hybrid powertrain is rated by Toyota at 326 net combined horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque,” Toyota said. Continue reading →

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Subaru Shows 2027 Forester Wilderness Hybrid SUV

Posted on 1 April 2026 by Ken Zino

As with the Subaru Forester Hybrid, the Forester Wilderness Hybrid uses an Atkinson/Miller-cycle [Delayed intake valve closing, compensated for with supercharging or other methods such as electric motors for recovering lost power – AutoCrat.] 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer® engine optimized for efficiency, paired with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and electric motors to produce 194 horsepower. The next-generation Subaru Hybrid system uses a series-parallel configuration to integrate with the existing Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Continue reading →

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Annals of Marketing – Manual Trans Return to Nissan Z

Posted on 31 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“We try to do something every year for the sports cars to keep them relevant and top-of-mind. We love working on these cars for our customers, and it’s a joy for us to continuously improve these things. We’ve been listening to our customers and talking to them. I think we’ve made a substantial improvement. The big thing everyone kept talking about is the desire for a manual transmission option for Z NISMO. It’s now here. Initially we didn’t launch with it because it’s a track-focused car,” said Paul Hawson, director of Advanced Product Planning & Strategy at Nissan North America. Continue reading →

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Corvette Grand Sport to Share LS6 6.7L V8 with Sting Ray

Posted on 26 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“Grand Sport has always been the Corvette for drivers who want the spirit of a race car in a package they can enjoy every day,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet. “With the new Grand Sport and Grand Sport X, we’ve taken that formula into the mid-engine era, pairing a heritage-rich design with the most advanced Corvette technologies we’ve ever offered. The Grand Sport model has historically acted as a high-volume player in the Corvette lineup. We expect the Stingray and Grand Sport lineup combined to account for the vast majority of Corvette sales.” Continue reading →

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Mustang GTD Applications Open April 17

Posted on 23 March 2026 by Ken Zino

“If you don’t try, you’ll never know. That’s not just a motivational saying. It’s true of Mustang GTD ownership, too,” said Joe Bellino, Mustang GTD brand manager. This is part of the celebrations of the 62nd birthday of the Ford Mustang. Continue reading →

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Toyota bZ Woodland Mid-Size SUV EV Priced at $45,300

Posted on 17 February 2026 by Ken Zino

“The 2026 bZ Woodland brings a different twist to the existing bZ’s style. It adds rugged black over-fenders to the Toyota hammerhead front end, has nearly 6-inches of additional length, and just under one inch of additional height in the rear. The extra length gives it a bit more space than its bZ sibling, with 74.3 cubic feet of storage with second row seats folded flat, versus the bZ model’s 67.1 cubic feet,” Toyota Motor said. Continue reading →

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Penske Automotive Group Posts $1.3 billion in 2025 Earnings

Posted on 11 February 2026 by Ken Zino

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG)* today announced 2025 Q4 and full-year 2025 results. For Q4 revenue was $7.8 billion compared to $8.1 billion for the same period in 2024. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $186.1 million compared … Continue reading →

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Volvo EX60 Mid-Size SUV Debuts

Posted on 21 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Volvo Cars* today revealed the all-electric Volvo EX60 mid-size SUV. This is Chinese owned Volvo Cars’ first entry in the largest electric segment globally.** In theory this allows it to substantially increase its addressable market and electric market share. [Sales … Continue reading →

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First Look – the 2027 E-Z-GO Liberty

Posted on 21 January 2026 by Ken Zino

Textron E-Z-GO (NYSE: TXT) today announced the next generation of its g E-Z-GO® Liberty™ vehicle for the 2027 model year. It’s said to be redesigned from the ground up to offer an unparalleled ride in a neighborhood or on the golf course.* Liberty will be available as a street-legal “low-speed vehicle,” or LSV, meeting the federally required FMVSS 500 and voluntary SAE J2358 standards, with a maximum speed of 25 mph and the qualifications to travel on most public roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. E-Z-GO Liberty will be available this summer from E-Z-GO authorized dealers. Continue reading →

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Cadillac Formula 1® – Checo Perez Completes First Track Laps

Posted on 19 January 2026 by Ken Zino

A Cadillac Formula 1 Team Filming Day happened this past Friday at the Silverstone track in England. The team was at the  track during a pre-season promotional day as it continues preparations for its debut Formula 1® campaign during 2026. The car ran entirely in black at Silverstone, with the final 2026 Cadillac Formula 1® Team livery set to be revealed on Sunday 8 February 2026 , via a globally televised championship broadcast during the Australian Grand Prix. [Let’s hope black isn’t symbolic of the first season of real racing – AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Eliminates Model E in Profit Seeking About Face

Posted on 16 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)* effectively abandoned its Electric Vehicle strategy this week in an attempt to stop the hemorrhaging of billions of dollars in shareholder money. Ford announced a series of actions to improve its so-called Ford+ plan, reassigning capital to meet what it described as customer demand and drive profitable growth. Ford will write off $19.5 Billion as it attempts to do this.

“This is a customer-driven shift to create a stronger, more resilient and more profitable Ford,” said (claimed?) Ford president and CEO Jim Farley. “The operating reality has changed, and we are redeploying capital into higher-return growth opportunities: Ford Pro, our market-leading trucks and vans, hybrids and high-margin opportunities like our new battery energy storage business.” Continue reading →

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Bye Sauber – Hi Audi Revolut F1 Team

Posted on 15 December 2025 by Ken Zino

The Audi Revolut F1 Team today unveiled its official name, logo, and announced that its global launch will take place in Berlin on 20 January 2026. This is the latest phase for the Audi Revolut F1 Team toward joining the Formula One World Championship in 2026. The team name and logo combine Audi F1 and global fintech Revolut, following the confirmation of the title partnership in July 2025.*

“Unveiling the Audi Revolut F1 Team name and logo marks another major milestone on our journey into the pinnacle of motorsport. Both give our ambition a clear identity, reflecting a strong vision and innovative spirit. We now look ahead to Berlin in January, where we will officially present this exciting new chapter for the Audi brand to the world,” said Gernot Döllner, CEO of Audi AG and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sauber Motorsport AG. Continue reading →

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First Look – $34,995 Subaru Uncharted EV

Posted on 9 December 2025 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America (Subaru Corp. NASDAQ: FUJHF) today announced pricing of the new 2026 Uncharted EV due to arrive at dealers early next year. The all-new, all-electric compact crossover has standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive on most models, and an … Continue reading →

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Lotus Esprit Refresh offered by Encor

Posted on 5 December 2025 by Ken Zino

“Production of the Encor Series 1 is limited to 50 individually commissioned cars worldwide. Prices begin at £430,000, excluding taxes, options and the required donor Esprit V8. Commissioning takes place either at Encor’s Chelmsford, UK HQ or via private consultation for international clients. Deliveries will begin in Q2 2026 and continue through 2027,” Encor claimed. Continue reading →

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New Mercedes-Benz Electric CLA to start at $47,250

Posted on 28 November 2025 by Ken Zino

Mercedes-Benz USA said the week that its  all-new electric CLA sedan will start at $47,250 (footnote 1) when the first vehicles appear on U.S. roads in December, with the available volume progressively ramping up through the first quarter of 2026.

“The compact sedan sets new standards with intuitive technologies, striking design, enhanced comfort and up to 374 miles (EPA) of electric range,” Mercedes-Benz claimed. Continue reading →

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