Category Archives: new vehicle

First Drive – 2014 Lexus IS Sedan

Posted on 15 May 2013 by Ken Zino

Unlike earlier electronic traction, anti-lock braking, yaw control and computerized damping systems, the latest ones are slickly integrated and even predictive, instead of slowly reactive. The upshot is a fully electronic car that is capable of driving at the limits all the time. These systems are now capable of producing faster lap times than professional racing drivers can without them, and the IS system is state of this dark electronic art. Continue reading →

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GM to Rebadge Nissan NV200 as Chevrolet City Express

Posted on 14 May 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors and Nissan announced today that the companies signed an agreement for Nissan to produce a small cargo van that GM will sell in the United States and Canada. GM will rebadge the Nissan NV200 as the Chevrolet City Express, which will go on sale in the fall of 2014. Why the world’s second largest automaker needs to go outside for a small commercial van goes back to a decades old Opel decision to outsource small van production in Europe. Ford, Renault and Citroen all thrive in the segment. It is an embarrassing position for GM in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading →

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Car Spy Catches 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

Posted on 6 May 2013 by Jim Dunne

Running under full camouflage is this prototype of the next Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2015 model. While the cover-up is extensive, several proposed changes in the full size SUV are evident from this photograph taken during testing at one of GM’s proving grounds. Continue reading →

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Pony Car Wars – 2015 Mustang Mule

Posted on 30 April 2013 by Jim Dunne

The 2015 Mustang caught in this photo is in what you might call the late “pupa stage” – completely developed but not quite ready for testing on the road. Continue reading →

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Some Corvette Prices Revealed – $51,995 to more than $73,000

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet revealed today some of the prices of the 2014 Stingray that goes on sale this summer but held back the MSRP of the highest performing Corvettes. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Increases Torque Converter Output at Toledo

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group announced today that it would invest $19.6 million in its Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, Ohio to increase capacity of the torque converter it is making for the nine-speed transmission of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Continue reading →

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Lexus GS 300h debuts at Shanghai Motor Show

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

While this latest Lexus hybrid has fuel economy and tax advantages in global markets, particularly against German luxury cars with diesel engines, it is not clear whether Lexus needs the smaller engine GS hybrid in North America where GS sales have been softening. Lexus already sells a GS 450h here with 338 total system horsepower. Continue reading →

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Ford Debuts All-New Mondeo in China, Not Europe

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford’s long-standing flagship car, the Mondeo, debuted its latest major revision in China at the Shanghai Motor show instead of its European home market. Ford Europe has pushed back the introduction of the 2015 model to save money as its losses grow to a projected $2 billion this year. In China, the Mondeo is one of 15 vehicles the company has promised to bring to the country by 2015. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Rated at 46 MPG Highway

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet said that its new 2014 Cruze Diesel will be rated at an EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway, better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. It will be available in some cities this spring and nationwide and in Canada in the early fall. Continue reading →

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First Fiat Platform Jeep Debuts in fall – 2014 Cherokee

Posted on 8 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Jeep has revealed full details on its upcoming Cherokee mid-size SUV that will be first offering from the famous off-road brand that will use a Fiat-derived platform. When it goes on sale this fall, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee will debut three four-wheel-drive systems, a 9-speed automatic transmission and a new 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 4,600 pounds of towing capacity. There is also 2.4-liter “Tigershark” MultiAir four-cylinder that will deliver a 45% fuel economy improvement compared to the outgoing unloved and slow selling Liberty model. Continue reading →

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First Look – 2014 Cadillac CTS Mid-Size Sedan

Posted on 4 April 2013 by Ken Zino

In GM’s latest attempt to make Cadillac a global brand, it is increasing the size of the CTS while toning down its distinctive styling that made it successful in the U.S. but is thought too radical for offshore customers of German and Japanese luxury cars. Continue reading →

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Horses for Courses – GM’s Small Block V8 Versus Ford and Ram

Posted on 1 April 2013 by Ken Zino

This debatable engineering philosophy gained some credibility today when GM revealed that the 2014 Silverado and Sierra pickups with the 5.3-liter V8 engine – the most popular engine – will be rated at an EPA estimated 23 mpg highway. The trucks also have better fuel economy and higher load capacity at a maximum of 11,500 pounds than the 2013 model Ford EcoBoost V6, an expensive approach that uses two turbochargers and intercooling, among other tweaks. Ram is using a 5.7-liter double overhead camshaft multivalve V8 linked in its best version to an 8-speed automatic, and is rated at 20 mpg. Continue reading →

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2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Pickups Top F-Series and Ram in Fuel Economy with EPA 23 MPG Highway for V8

Posted on 1 April 2013 by Ken Zino

In a one-two punch, Chevrolet and GMC announced the best fuel economy of any V8 pickup for the 2014 Silverado and Sierra models at EPA estimated 23 mpg highway. The trucks also have better fuel economy and higher load capacity at a maximum of 11,500 pounds than the 2013 model Ford EcoBoost V6. Continue reading →

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Nostalgia Marketing! Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Returns in 2014

Posted on 28 March 2013 by Ken Zino

As Chevrolet showed a mildly restyled 2014 Camaro lineup at the New York Auto Show, it announced the return of the Z/28, arguably the most famous model in Camaro history. Continue reading →

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Lexus to Sell Third Generation IS Sport Sedan for 2014

Posted on 26 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Past the attempts to promote something as unique, the substantive sport sedan issue remains whether Lexus can continue to chip away at BMW’s dominance in the small sporty car class in the face of the impressive new 3-Series lineup and impending 4-series. Continue reading →

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