Category Archives: new vehicle

New Compact Acura ILX to be Built in Indiana by Honda

Posted on 12 December 2011 by Ken Zino

This means Acura ILX will be Acura’s first-ever hybrid model, as well as the first Acura model to be produced in Greensburg, Indiana, which also builds the new 2012 Civic model. The plant recently added nearly 1,000 associates to support the move to two-shift production, which started on Oct. 24, 2011, doubling the plant’s capacity to 200,000 vehicles per year. In what is a major public relations error, Honda did not even release a teaser photo of the ILX. Continue reading →

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NAIAS – Acura, Lexus, Honda Will be Out in Force in Detroit

Posted on 12 December 2011 by Ken Zino

Acura announced today that it will show three all-new vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – including a compact sports sedan, a redesigned RDX crossover sport utility vehicle, and a concept version of the next generation Acura NSX super car. Honda, Toyota and Lexus will also have strong new vehicles. Continue reading →

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Dodge Dart Reborn based on Alfa Romeo Platform

Posted on 6 December 2011 by Ken Zino

The new Dodge Dart will appear in modified form with a lengthened and widened platform, which Dodge claims will have segment-leading interior roominess. Dodge exited the compact car segment (or so-called c-car segment) when then owner Daimler killed the Neon back in 2005 – as gasoline was relatively cheap at just over $2 a gallon and truck and SUV sales were booming. The Neon nameplate goes back to the 1995 when Bob Lutz then at Chrysler boasted it would beat the Japanese in the economy car segment. It didn’t come close. Continue reading →

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Drag Racing 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang Revealed

Posted on 5 December 2011 by Ken Zino

The 2013 Cobra Jet Mustang has two 5.0-liter Ti-VCT engine options – a naturally aspirated engine with Cobra Jet induction system, CNC ported heads, high-lift cams and low-drag accessory drive; or a Whipple supercharged version with CNC port-matched manifold and heads, and what’s said to be a proprietary 10-rib supercharger drive system for high-rpm use without belt slip. Continue reading →

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GM Plans Four World Debuts at NAIAS. Where is Bob Lutz?

Posted on 2 December 2011 by Ken Zino

“ATS enters the biggest market segment in the global luxury car industry, both in terms of volume and importance,” said Barra.

No kidding. ATS better be good when it appears next fall.

But when I asked what GM consultant Bob Lutz was doing these days, Barra said she was trading e-mails with him about getting Lutz to drive a new Chevy Sonic, which has been on sale globally for a couple of years. While Barra called Lutz an “automotive rock star,” there was no hint in her brief response that she was spending any time with Lutz. Continue reading →

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GM Will Lend Cars to Concerned Chevrolet Volt Owners as NHTSA Volt Battery Fire Investigation Continues

Posted on 28 November 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors announced Monday that any Volt owner concerned about safety can contact his or her Volt advisor to arrange for a free GM vehicle loan until resolution of the issue. A letter to Volt owners will go out today. The aggressive customer satisfaction move came after the National Highway traffic safety Administration announced on Friday that it would open a preliminary evaluation of Volt battery assemblies after NHTSA test results caused electrical fires up to three weeks after an initial vehicle New Car Assessment Program side pole crash test. Continue reading →

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Toyota Camry Hybrid Prices Cut $850 to $1,150 for 2012

Posted on 21 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The revised hybrid-electric powertrain, like other 2012 Camry models has a newly-developed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Toyota says that improved electric motor-voltage control, optimized regenerative braking, and reduce parasitic losses in the transaxle are key to the ratings. Reduced vehicle weight and improved aerodynamics are also factors in the class-leading fuel economy ratings. Continue reading →

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Hyundai Azera Targets LaCrosse, Taurus and Avalon Sedans

Posted on 17 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Azera – like all recently upgraded Hyundai models – is fiercely competitive entry, in this case in the large car segment. Azera will provide a real choice for shoppers of large Toyota and Lexus models, as well as the slow selling Ford Taurus – off 10% at ~53,000 ytd of 619,000 total Ford car sales. Azera is also trouble for the upcoming revised Chevrolet Impala in 2013. The existing Impala is road kill here, in my view. As always, the buyers will decide what’s the best value, with Azera likely pulling sales from less expensive and more expensive models. Continue reading →

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Cadillac XTS Sedan Unveiled With a V6 and All Wheel Drive

Posted on 16 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Cadillac XTS will be the most-spacious Cadillac sedan in the current line, with interior space roughly comparable to current full-size sedans. In what appears to be a clear bid to make the XTS saleable to the chauffer-driven communist ruling class in China, XTS has 40 inches (1,016 mm) of rear legroom. Continue reading →

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Ford Shelby GT500 to Offer 650 Horsepower Production V8

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is boasting that the ultimate Ford Mustang – Shelby GT500 – will offer the highest horsepower production V8 when the new 2013 model goes on sale next year. The 5.8-liter V8 aluminum-block supercharged engine is claimed to be rated at 650 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production V8 in the world. The 3,850-pound car also will be exempt from the gas-guzzler tax, a claim that awaits EPA certification. Continue reading →

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Renault Dedicates Enlarged Electric Vehicle Test Center

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Since missing the hybrid segment completely that Toyota went on to dominate globally, reaping billions upon billions of dollars worth of “Green” image benefits in the process, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, has “bet the farm” by investing almost $5 billion in electric vehicles. Thus far, the Nissan Leaf, with roughly 8,000 sales year-to-date, has not met expectations in the U.S. Nissan, optimistically, wants 20% of its sales to be EVs by 2020. Continue reading →

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50 MPG Predicted for Toyota Prius c Hybrid

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

While not priced yet, expect the Prius c to sell for around $22,000, which is likely how Toyota will define entry level or an affordable price. In spite of fuel economy benefits, hybrids remain a tiny portion of the U.S. auto market – a little over 2% of sales YTD – because mainstream buyers refuse to pay a premium amounting to several thousand dollars over a comparable gasoline-fueled car. Continue reading →

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Camaro ZL1 Coupe Priced at $54,995 for 2012 Model

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The Camaro pony car is capable of speeds up to 184 mph and can traverse the pavement from a rolling start to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, according to Chevrolet. As such, the Camaro ZL1 coupe presents strong competition not only for the performance versions of the Shelby Mustang, GT 500, but also the Cadillac CTS-V coupe (rated at 556 horsepower or 415 kW), which makes the coupe just as fast, arguably roomier and starts at $64,090. For the record, Camaro has consistently outsold the Mustang since its introduction Continue reading →

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Chevrolet’s All-New 2013 TrailBlazer Debuts in Dubai

Posted on 10 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The next generation TrailBlazer combines the hauling and towing capability of a body-on-frame SUV with what’s claimed to be the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover. In other words, it’s a traditional American truck although it was developed along with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup by GM do Brasil. While GM has announced the return of the Colorado to the U.S., but has not confirmed the TrailBlazer will join it, which seems an easy, though potentially cannibalizing, addition to the showrooms. Continue reading →

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Ford Taking Orders for 2012 Focus Electric at $39,995

Posted on 3 November 2011 by Ken Zino

No lease is available, so a typical payment to buy – with $4,000 down for 48 months – is almost $800 per month at Ford’s 7% interest rate. The gasoline Focus starts at just over $17,000. This means that the sales volume of the EV will likely be limited to a few enthusiasts. And Focus Electric also faces tough competition from the Nissan Leaf, which can be leased for about $400 a month. Continue reading →

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