Category Archives: new vehicle

Revised 2014 Jeep Compass SUV Unveiled at NAIAS in Detroit

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Jeep debuted a mildly revised Compass SUV at NAIAS today. The Belvidere, Illinois-built compact has a new 6-speed automatic transmission with claimed fuel economy up to 30 mpg. The electronic transmission is mated to either a 2-liter or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. There is no transmission dipstick and transmission filter or fluid changes are not required under normal driving conditions.
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2014 Corvette Sting Ray Builds on C6 with a new 7-Speed Manual, Cylinder Deactivation for a Front Engine, Rear-Drive V8 Sports Car

Posted on 13 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Seven better be a lucky number for the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The so-called C7 – for the seventh generation of the fabled – and now fading – All-American sports car is an attempt to revive interest in what might be a dissolving market, the 2-seat, front engine, rear drive American sports car. Continue reading →

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Older C6R Corvette to Race in American Le Mans This Year

Posted on 13 January 2013 by Ken Zino

While the success or failure of a revised 2014 model C7 Chevrolet Corvette will be much debated this week at the North American International auto Show this week in Detroit, the success of Corvette’s racing program seems certain, as the C6.R will return for the 2013 season. The C7.R is expected to make its racing debut in 2014. Continue reading →

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Grand Cherokee Freshening Caught in Spy Shots Ahead of NAIAS

Posted on 11 January 2013 by Ken Zino

This is a camouflaged version of a revised 2014 model Jeep Grand Cherokee that will be revealed next week at NAIAS in Detroit. Three years after the launch of one of Fiat’s most profitable vehicles, the SUV will get a facelift and add a couple of new models. Continue reading →

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New Lexus IS Debuts at NAIAS but U.S. Won’t Get Hybrid Versions

Posted on 9 January 2013 by Ken Zino

The revised Lexus IS compact sport sedan will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week with the new Lexus snout grille. The latest versions of the rear-drive IS model range – BMW wanna be’s – will include IS 250, IS 350, and the first IS hybrid, the 300h, which will be available in Europe, Japan and other international markets, but not the U.S where the $33,000 and higher CT220h – a hatchback derived econobox – is available. Continue reading →

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Non-Spy Shot – Cadillac ELR Photographed in Southern California

Posted on 8 January 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors has released this photograph of a Cadillac ELR hybrid electric vehicle, which will be revealed with nicer paint at the 2013 North American International Auto Show next week. Continue reading →

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Ford Minivan Rebirth as European Galaxy Tests Stateside?

Posted on 2 January 2013 by Ken Zino

While the minivan market is shrinking, Ford Motor in Dearborn is apparently testing a European Galaxy minivan for possible U.S. consumption as these Jim Dunne spy shots reveal. Ford has been out of the minivan market since the Freestar, previously Windstar, lapsed into well deserved oblivion in 2007 as the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan, as well as the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey mom-mobiles made it a mere footnote in sales results. Continue reading →

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GM and PSA Peugeot Citroën to Develop New Gas Engines

Posted on 24 December 2012 by Ken Zino

PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors are expanding the scope of their alliance announced earlier this year to include a new line of small gasoline engines developed from PSA’s small gasoline engine program known as the EB engine. Continue reading →

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Fiat Melfi Plant to Make Two New Cars, Including a Baby Jeep

Posted on 23 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Existing production processes are being modified to handle what’s called a new modular Small Wide platform – one of Fiat-Chrysler’s three principal architectures – that can also be adapted to produce larger vehicles. Fiat confirmed that the platform will have the product and safety aspects that comply with U.S. regulatory standards. This means that vehicles produced at the Melfi plant including the baby Jeep will be export ready, with no requirement for further modifications. Continue reading →

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Jeep Liberty to evolve as a Front-Wheel-Drive Alfa Romeo Derivative

Posted on 21 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is preparing an all-new Jeep Liberty replacement that will debut within 18 months, eventually going into production in the U.S., Italy and China. As with the just released Dodge Dart, the new Jeep – thus far unnamed – will be based on a corporate platform from owner Fiat. Continue reading →

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GM to Face F-Series, Ram with New 2014 Silverado, Sierra Pickups

Posted on 17 December 2012 by Ken Zino

An initial analysis by AutoInformed indicates that the trucks are good, but the question lingers will they be good enough against Ford’s F-Series and Dodge’s Ram line, both with considerable marketplace momentum, and both with their own unique selling points from recent revisions. Continue reading →

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Car Spy Jim Dunne Catches a Revised 2015 Ford Mustang

Posted on 13 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Jim Dunne caught a look at what Ford Motor is working on for the 2015 model year Mustang, which he opines will have an independent rear suspension. At least that’s the impression he got from viewing this rear view of a Ford Mustang test vehicle. Taillights, upper panels and the license plate mount are the same as current Mustangs, so why cut out the lowest panel? Continue reading →

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Mazda6 Diesel Coming to U.S. Tracks and Roads in 2013

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American today announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the racing version of the 2014 Mazda6 diesel would make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race in January 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Japanese automaker also confirmed accurate commentary by AutoInformed earlier this year that the racing program would help promote a new Mazda6 diesel sedan, which will join gasoline engine versions next year on U.S. roads.. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Spark EV $25,000 after Federal Subsidy of $7,500

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will be priced under $25,000 with tax incentives when it goes on sale starting next summer in California, Oregon, Canada and South Korea. Spark EV will be eligible for controversial high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in California. The price is roughly twice that of a gasoline powered minicar, and that’s with incentives. Continue reading →

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Mazda Atenza on Sale in Japan, Comes to U.S. Next Year as Mazda6

Posted on 21 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The Mazda6 is due in the U.S. next year where the family car market is much larger and much more competitive. Year-to-date Mazda sold 31,000 of the older 6 sedan in a segment dominated by the newly revised Toyota Camry, Honda Accord models, both of which are now selling almost 30,000 units a month and the Nissan Altima at 26,000 a month. Two Japanese variations of the new Mazda6 present additional sales opportunities for the U.S. subsidiary. Continue reading →

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