Category Archives: new vehicle

Future Mustang and Lincoln Coupe?

Posted on 25 February 2013 by Jim Dunne

At first glance, this Mustang looks somewhat altered. Take a close look and you can spot the differences in this prototype and the cars in the showrooms. From the front there is little to see that’s different. However, that galloping horse set alone in the grille is a design not offered on current Mustang models. Continue reading →

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Jeep Cherokee Returns as 2014 Model. New York Auto Show Debut

Posted on 25 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Cherokee is inches wider and longer than its Italian donor platform and as you can see uses the traditional Jeep styling features such as a box-like body and the famous vertical slotted grille that goes back to Bill Mauldin’s Willie and Joe cartoons that won Pulitzer prizes during WW2. Continue reading →

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Caught Testing – the Revised 2014 Cadillac CTS?

Posted on 19 February 2013 by Jim Dunne

Look for Cadillac to unveil this car at the New York Auto Show next month. I caught these camouflaged versions while they were out on a recent prototype test run in the frozen north. The new 2014 CTS appears to be close to a full-size sedan, but still keeping Cadillac’s distinctive angular design themes. Continue reading →

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Shape Memory Alloy Replaces Electric Motor On C7 Corvette

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Ken Zino

While much of the news about weight savings on the revised 2014 Corvette coming this fall has concentrated on the aluminum chassis that saves 99 pounds when compared to its steel predecessor, GM is also using a heat-activated shape memory alloy that replaces a heavier motorized part. The electric wire will be used in place of a heavier motorized actuator to open a the hatch vent that releases air from the trunk to allow for easier closing by releasing trapped air through the opening. When the hatch is closed, the vent closes. Continue reading →

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Alfa Romeo 4C Debuts at Geneva – 2014 Model is U.S. Comeback Car

Posted on 12 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The new Alfa Romeo 4C will debut at the Geneva a Motor Show next month, the Italian sports car maker owned by Fiat said this morning. The two-seat, mid-engine designed sports car will be built at the Maserati plant in Modena, which is also the home of Fiat owned Ferrari. The 4C will go on sale in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States. Continue reading →

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Corvette Stingray Convertible Debuts next Month in Geneva

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Given the well-publicized success of the Stingray debut at the NAIAS in Detroit last month, the move appears designed to bolster GM’s battered image in Europe that is the result of years of losses at Opel Vauxhall. It is also a counter thrust in Europe against the most successful global sports car of all time, the 911 of Porsche, which celebrates 50 years during 2013. This and the fact that 820,000 911s have been built since 1963, will no doubt be emphasized at the Geneva Show. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Debuts 2014 Cruze Diesel at Chicago Auto Show

Posted on 7 February 2013 by Ken Zino

In the latest example of how complicated the global auto business is, Chevrolet will sell a Cruze diesel this fall in North America that has an Italian engine design, a German-built 2-liter turbo diesel, which will be installed in the Cruze at the final assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The 2014 model will start out at $25,695 with destination and a two-year maintenance plan included. Continue reading →

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Driving the New “Cute-Ute” 2013 Buick Encore SUV

Posted on 22 January 2013 by Ken Zino

It’s hard to think of Buick on the cutting edge of anything, but its new Encore SUV seems poised to catch the wave of the growing cute-ute market in the U.S. Test drives of the mini SUV reveal a decent handling, refined version of GM’s Gamma II platform that is sold elsewhere in the world as Opel Mokka and Chevrolet Trax models. Continue reading →

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First Look – New 2013 Chrysler 300 Glacier AWD

Posted on 21 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Chrysler has introduced a $37,840 300 Glacier model that is roughly based on an all-wheel drive version of the SRT8. With an eight-speed automatic transmission, steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters, and a more powerful300 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine, the sedan is said to deliver best-in-class fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Continue reading →

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Cadillac ELR Hybrid Faces Same Tough Market as Chevy Volt

Posted on 21 January 2013 by Ken Zino

The 2014 Cadillac ELR makes its world public début at the North American International Auto Show this week. Based on the Chevrolet Volt, the hybrid faces the same challenges that have made the $40,000 Volt a mere footnote in U.S. Sales charts since only 24,000 were sold in 2012 or, for one example, only ~10 % of the sales total of the larger, gasoline powered $22,000 Chevrolet Cruze. Continue reading →

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Production Version of Sub-Compact Buick Encore SUV at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Buick is exploring unknown territory with the production version of what it is calling the Encore SUV on display at NAIAS. Last year the tiny Encore concept – 168.5 inches long – also debuted in Detroit. The Encore SUV is about 10 inches shorter than the production Honda CRV. Continue reading →

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BMW Shows a “Concept” 4-Series at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Over the past year, BMW has introduced 14 new and renewed vehicles, the most ever in the U.S. Today in Detroit at the NAIAS BMW unveiled what it says is a Concept 4-Series Coupe that looked production ready. It’s another formidable car from Bavaria. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLA-Class Unveiled in Detroit

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

“In 2012, we sold more than 274,000 cars in the U.S. and thus achieved a new sales record for Mercedes-Benz. Because we are bringing so many new models to market in 2013 – the new E-Class line, the new CLA-Class and the new S-Class – we anticipate that sales will again increase in 2013,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Continue reading →

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2014 Q50 Infiniti Sedan Appears in Detroit at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Infiniti unveiled an all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan at a press conference at the 2013 North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – today. Q50 takes many of its exaggerated styling cues from the Infiniti Essence concept, with swooping curves and angular accent lines, in an attempt to separate itself from more traditional German designs, which is not necessarily a good thing. Inside, the Q50 interior offers a driver- oriented cockpit with communications system that has large dual touch-screens. Continue reading →

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2014 Grand Cherokee has a new V6 Diesel, Eight-Speed Transmission

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Jeep revealed a heavily revised 2014 Grand Cherokee with a new V6 diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A new 3-liter “EcoDiesel” V6 engine is claimed to deliver a “best in class” 30 miles per gallon, with a driving range of more than 730 miles, best-in-class towing at 7,400 pounds is also claimed for Jeep’s flagship crossover. Continue reading →

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