Category Archives: new vehicle

Nissan Starts 2019 Altima Production in Mississippi

Building on 25 years more than 5.6 million sales to date, the all-new Altima is a competent mid-size sedan that competes well with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. True to the clichés of autotalk Nissan touts “expressive styling, an uplifting interior and two new engines.” Continue reading

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Mercedes AMG ONE Debuts at Paris Motor Show

The German luxury vehicle maker gushingly claims that the Mercedes-AMG ONE will be the pinnacle of the model portfolio and the absolute top-of-the-line model – ergo the One. (Translation: not as expensive as an F1 car, but way up there in the automotive pricing ionosphere. With intensive testing having been ongoing for months in England on high-performance test stands and race tracks, Mercedes-AMG now has the latest development of active aerodynamics. Continue reading

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Toyota to supply its hydrogen technology to Caetanobus

The latest move supports Toyota’s vision of a de-carbonised society―as stated in its 2050 environmental challenge, Toyota is promoting the application of its hydrogen fuel cell technology beyond passenger cars, including heavy duty trucks, small delivery trucks, forklifts and buses. Continue reading

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Genesis 2019 G70 – $48,000 Four Cylinder?

G70s equipped with the 2.0T four-cylinder engine are available in six semi-confusing trim levels, including a special manual transmission Sport package, with a starting price of ~$36,000. The G70s equipped with the 3.3T engine are available in four trim levels, plus two limited production – either by sparse sales or maker decree – Special Edition models, with a starting price of more than $44,000. You can spend roughly $55,000 on a plush Genesis model. Sales numbers will decide if the pricing strategy is too ambitious. Continue reading

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2019 Lexus UX – Another Compact Crossover

The 2019 UX is available in two versions: the front-wheel-drive UX 200 introduces a new high-efficiency 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine coupled with a new 10-speed Direct Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (DCVT). The all-wheel-drive UX 250h pairs an even higher-efficiency version of the 2.0-liter gas engine with a new fourth-generation hybrid drive system engineered specifically for this platform. It’s a soccer moms’ special. Continue reading

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Joys of Crossover Trucking? Largest Subaru Ever

Ascent, with a 113.8-in. wheelbase, is the largest Subaru ever built. With 153.5 cubic feet of passenger volume, plus cargo space, the Ascent provides room for every passenger and their gear. Continue reading

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Off-Road Cruise Control on 2019 F-150 Raptor and Ranger

While this is old news – see AutoInformed.com on Active Damping Controls Ride on 2019 Ford Raptor – the suddenly super competitive performance truck market (oxymoron?) has makers scrambling for publicity. Continue reading

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More Trucks – Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison

In consecutive years, Colorado introduced the segment’s first diesel engine (ignores other GM vehicles), an all-new V6 gas engine/eight-speed transmission combo, the ZR2 “segment of one” off-roader and now the Bison. The 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison goes on sale in January 2019, modified for extreme off-road use and backed by a full factory limited warranty. Pricing? Not yet – just assume it will be more than the $42,000 ZR2 or similarly priced Tacoma TRD Pro. Continue reading

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Harley-Davidson, Tuscany Motor Tease Concept Pickup

Co-designed by Tuscany and the Harley-Davidson styling team, the Harley-Davidson concept truck (www.HarleyTruck.com) takes cues from the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle. Continue reading

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Topless Prancing Horse, Err 720 Horses

The new 488 Pista appears to have the highest performance ever in a spider given the with an unprecedented weight-power ratio of 1.92 kg/cv or horsepower. This came from a good old ‘Merican hot rod trick – stuff the most powerful Ferrari V8 engine ever. Continue reading

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New Genesis G70 Luxury Sport Sedan Makes Concours Debut

The all-electric, high-performance Genesis Essentia Concept made its world debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show to mixed reviews among the press I talked with there. Continue reading

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VIR Upset – BMW M8 Finally Tallies First Win as Corvette Leads GTLM Driver’s Championship

The No. 25 BMW M8 GTE, driven by Connor De Phillippi (USA) and Alexander Sims (GBR), completed 88 laps of the classic Virginia International Raceway two-hour-and-forty-minute race, winning with just a 1.323 second margin of victory over the relentlessly driven Corvette. Continue reading

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Ford to Unveil New Model During Woodward Dream Cruise Tomorrow. Mustang NASCAR Cup Edition Coming?

This remains ‘Merican pavement pulverizing territory. The burnt rubber on Woodward avenue in the run up to the Dream Cruise with the prelude of Roadkill Nights Powered by Dodge at the MI Concourse just off Woodward in Pontiac are just the latest examples. With American passenger cars now an endangered species, the pony cars thrive. I’ll wager the Mustang is the last passenger car assembled by FMC after the crossover tidal wave finishes washing though the auto industry and it wrestles with connect and self-driving vehicles. Continue reading

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Profits of Trucks – Tahoe, Suburban Premier Plus Models

” Premier Plus gives both Suburban and Tahoe customers another option to choose from with several added premium touches.” They start at +$75,000. Continue reading

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JMC, Ford Develop Territory in China

Territory was developed and tested at Ford in Nanjing, China and Melbourne, Australia. The all-new SUV will be manufactured at JMC’s Xiao Lan plant. No word yet on possible export plans to North America, which is currently embroiled in Trump’s trade wars, although Ford acknowledges it has another small crossover coming there. From where is not confirmed. Continue reading

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