Category Archives: new vehicle

Subaru 2025 Forester SUV Shown at Los Angeles Auto Show

“The all-new 2025 Forester was designed to combine the capability and versatility of a large SUV with the comfort and efficiency of a car. The 8.7-inch ground clearance for all Forester models is taller than many SUVs, yet it maintains a comfortably low step-in height for both front- and rear-passenger entry,” Subaru said. Continue reading

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Ram 2025 MY 1500 Ramcharger Hybrid Debuts

Yes, it’s a hybrid not a pure EV. While purists might scoff at the gasoline engine, since it has no, none, zero need for a public charger, Stellantis might have created a new sweet spot in the pickup market. It is built from the new STLA body-on-frame architecture designed specifically for full-size electric vehicles with a frame that incorporates the battery pack efficiently. You could consider this the best that both gas and electric trucks offer, with little constraints on range – unless you run out of gasoline when the batteries are dead. Continue reading

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First Look – 2024 Ford Mustang GT California Special

Ford Motor (NYSE:F) today revealed the 2024 Ford Mustang GT California Special, saying that it adopts modern style as a classic package returns. It will be offered on the 2024 Mustang GT Premium fastback coupe and convertible models, using visual cues of the 1968 original .The California Special package adds $1995 to the price of a Mustang GT Premium and is available in Coupe (~$47,015) and Convertible (~$56,999) body styles with either the six-speed manual gearbox or the optional 10-speed automatic transmission. Continue reading

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First Look – 2024 Honda Ridgeline Pickup

Ridgeline of course continues with its unibody construction that includes fully boxed frame members and an independent rear suspension. Here the age-old pickup truck debate about American versus Japanese designs continues. “The unique design and sophisticated chassis deliver a high level of driving refinement and responsive handling no traditional body-on-frame competitor can match, while supporting an impressive 1583-pound payload capacity. Ridgeline can also tow as much as 5000 pounds, which is more than enough for many boats, campers or ‘toy’ trailers that serve as the key to adventure for many customers,” Honda said. Continue reading

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First Look – 2024 Toyota RAV4 Compact SUV

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder powered RAV4 is available in LE, XLE, XLE Premium, and Limited with either FWD or All Wheel Drive (AWD), as well as the Adventure and TRD Off Road grades with AWD standard. Continue reading

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Gen 5 Three-Door MINI Cooper is Electric

Entering its fifth generation with a first, the purely electric 3-door MINI Cooper now has digital experiences, modern assistance systems and a pure electric powertrain. BMW is hoping it remains a MINI in buyer’s minds, while at the same time marking the brand’s all-electric future. This transformation starting now will make MINI an all-electric brand by 2030. Continue reading

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Annals of Marketing – 2024 Toyota Tacoma in Blue Beetle

Toyota (NYSE:TM) is marketing the 2024 Tacoma pickup with DC’s newest Superhero in his debut movie, “Blue Beetle,” which made its world premiere in theaters last week. The action movie uses multiple generations of Tacoma as Jaime Reyes is forever changed when an ancient piece of alien technology, the Scarab (no relation to the car) transforms the college grad into the hero – The Blue Beetle. Continue reading

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World Debut of the Acura ZDX at Monterey Car Week

The largish – grotesque to some AutoInformed readers – ZDX is being co-developed with GM using the highly flexible global EV platform powered by Ultium batteries. What fun for brand managers – a common platform for Cadillac and Acura SUVs? Acura eventually will launch additional EV models starting in 2026 based on the company’s own global EV Architecture. Continue reading

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First Look – 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota (NYSE: TM) has finally officially acknowledged that its longest-running nameplate will return to the North American after a three-year hiatus. Moreover,  the off-road vehicle is less expensive with a MSRP in the mid-$50,000 range. (The Lexus LX 600 version of the platform is on sale now in the US at ~$100,000.) Now built off of the less expensive TNGA-F global truck platform, the new Land Cruiser is available with the range-topping i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Traverse Adds Off-Road Z71 Model for 2024

The new Chevrolet Traverse in the fiercely competitive mid-size SUV segment is joining the off-road parade in both the US and Canada during the 2024 model year, Chevrolet said this morning. Chevy also said it has more SUV-like proportions, key safety features with families in mind, and more horsepower. It also has the new-age equivalent of a bold, new grille. Continue reading

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Lotus Eletre SUV EV at Goodwood

Lotus has held its first ever UK test drives for its hyper-SUV – the Lotus Eletre – at the Goodwood Motor Circuit last Sunday as part of a new electric vehicle promotional event staged in conjunction with the Festival of Speed or is that now a festival of marketing? The Lotus Eletre claims to be the first of a new breed of pure electric performance SUVs. It is positioned as a “lifestyle vehicle.” The first customer deliveries of the hyper-SUV are expected in the coming months. Continue reading

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First Look – Electric Porsche Vision 357 Speedster

The nod to the 356 is in passing since the all-electric Porsche Vision 357 Speedster is based on the 718 GT4 e-Performance. The electric motors and battery technology come from the Mission R and the chassis from the 718 GT4 Clubsport. Following its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the design study will be on display at this year’s Rennsport Reunion in the USA at the end of September. AutoInformed bets the production version will be announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show, now called IAA MOBILITY 2023, in Munich this September. Continue reading

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2024 BMW CE 02 – A Two Wheel EV

BMW Motorrad USA today announced the new 2024 BMW CE 02 – an electric two-wheeler something or other. BMW said (marketing babble alert> “it’s electric, designed to appeal to young people and it’s neither an e-motorbike nor an e-scooter. It’s an eParkourer (sic), created for the urban environment. Nimble, practical, tough, and reduced to the essentials in terms of design. Large wheels meet the demand for robustness and at the same time ensure riding fun on many differing terrains.” Whatever it is, when it rolls into the US, the MSRP will be $7599 plus destination, plus accessories, plus taxes. CE 02 has a top speed of 59 mph, and a range of ~56 miles. Continue reading

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GMC Shows 2024 Canyon AT4X AEV Edition

“GMC is giving customers the ability to forge their own path within the premium off-roading space,” said Duncan Aldred, global vice president, Buick-GMC. “GMC Sierra LD and HD AT4X AEV Editions delivered what customers were looking for in the off-roading space and now we’re applying that same formula to the next-generation Canyon.” Continue reading

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Toyota Teases New Land Cruiser

Toyota Motor Sales USA from Plano, Texas released two teaser images of what it claimed was the “all-new Toyota rugged SUV.” We are not sure how to say with tongue firmly planted in cheek in Japanese (頬にしっかりと舌を植えて ? – we are trying to keep a straight face here – expecting the usual long, slow marketing rollout), but this is obviously the new Land Cruiser, unless the Republican Texas pox has removed from Toyota’s memory the legendary Land Cruiser nameplate. Continue reading

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