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Tag Archives: autoinformed.com
VW Shows 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo
Volkswagen of America has unveiled the all-new 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo at the New York Auto Show, which will be the nameplate’s top trim beginning in the 2026 Model Year starting this fall. The Tiguan Turbo incorporates the “refined” aspects of the 2025 Tiguan adding 67 more horsepower to give the compact SUV more oomph. The 2.0-liter EA888 turbo four-cylinder engine is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 67 hp and 51 lb.-ft. compared to the base engine
“The improved performance compared with the base engine comes from a number of changes. The engine has a larger turbocharger that enables higher boost pressure, combined with a lower 10.5 to one compression ratio. Internally, the engine benefits from stronger pistons and connecting rods, as well as a nitrided crankshaft. The engine also has oil cooling for the pistons, as well as variable valve lift on both the intake and exhaust side. It still uses Miller-cycle technology to help improve fuel economy compared to a conventional four-cycle engine, and runs on regular gasoline,” VWoA said. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, engineering, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, MQB evo platform, new york auto show, VW 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kia EV4 Sedan Debuts in New York
Kia America has unwrapped the all-new 2026 EV4 sedan at the New York International Auto Show. The compact EV4 is Kia’s first global EV sedan. It’s based on a 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which underpins multiple EV models from Kia. How a sedan performs in an EV market dominated by CUVs and SUVs remains to be seen. The U.S. launch of Kia EV4 expected early 2026. Trim Levels, options and pricing among other variables are subject to the unpredictable whims of Trump tariff decrees of course.
“The EV4 makes all-electric ownership accessible for those customers who are seeking a more practical and affordable option on the EV landscape while still desiring an advanced, technology-driven in-car experience,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles
Tagged ADAS systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Technology, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, E-GMP, Ken Zino, Kia Connect, Kia EV4 Sedan, New York International Auto Show, Steven Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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Kia 2026 K4 Hatchback Debuts in New York
The 2026 model year Kia K4 Hatchback debuted today at the New York Auto Show as a brand extension so-to-speak of the K4 sedan. The Hatchback body style provides class-leading rear headroom and rear legroom[footnote 1], and 22.2 cu.-ft. of space behind rear passengers. The K4 Hatchback is expected to arrive in late 2025, with pricing, trim details, and EPA-rated fuel economy to be announced closer to its on-sale date. the K4 Hatchback is available in an exclusive “Sparkling Yellow” exterior color. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, marketing, new vehicle, shows and events
Tagged 2026 model year Kia K4 Hatchback, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, K4 Hatchback GT-Line, Ken Zino, new york auto show, Steven Center, X @KenAutoinformed
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FIA WEC – Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes EU Debt at Imola
Aston Martin said today that this weekend its Valkyrie hypercar makes its European race debut at the second round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the 6 Hours of Imola to be contested on 20 April 2025.
“The first ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ (LMH) to be produced by Aston Martin, Valkyrie is the only car in the WEC’s premier category derived from a road-legal hypercar. Its global debut, masterminded by the works Aston Martin THOR team in at the Qatar 1812km of Qatar in February, began an historic season for the British machine. Valkyrie is the only LMH to compete in both the FIA WEC and in North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and scored a top-10 finish on its US debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring – renowned as North America’s toughest endurance race – in March,” Aston Martin claimed. (It was an all Ferrari at Qatar in February with the Italians Placing One, Two and Three after the 1812km race. Moreover Imola is Ferrari’s home circuit. – AutoCrat) Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged Aston Martin DBR1, Aston Martin THOR Team, Aston Martin Valkyrie, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carroll Shelby, Harry Tincknell, Ian James, Ken Zino, Marco Sørensen, Roy Salvadori, Tom Gamble, X @KenAutoinformed
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UAW Members OK Strike at General Dynamics Electric Boat
UAW President Shawn Fain and Local 571 President Bill Louis yesterday with more than a thousand union members announced a “major escalation” in the ongoing labor dispute at General Dynamics Electric Boat. The marine drafters, a highly skilled workforce responsible for designing the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet, have voted to authorize a strike against their employer. The decision underlines growing frustration with the defense contractor, which has reported massive profits even as the workers behind a foundation of the nation’s nuclear deterrence fight for a contract that delivers on their priorities: fair pay, retirement security for all, and dignity on the job. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, economy, electric vehicles, labor issues, manufacturing, news, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, General Dynamics Electric Boat, JoAnna McClenathan, Ken Zino, Local 571 President Bill Louis, UAW President Shawn Fain, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche Taycan Hybrid Airbag Recall
Porsche Cars North America is recalling ~10,000 2022-2023 model year Taycan hybrid EVs. An occupant classification system error may deactivate the front-passenger air bag.
“The occupant classification system for automatic airbag activation/deactivation in the front passenger seat can trigger a fail-safe mode due to a manufacturing error, which deactivates the airbag in the front passenger seat,” Porsche said in the mandatory recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Lear Corporation recalls, NHTSA Porsche Taycan recall 25V221 or 25V-221, Porsche Taycan recall ASA2, X @KenAutoinformed
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Blank Screen – Audi Instrument Panel Software Recalls
Audi (Volkswagen Group of America) is recalling more than 44,000 model year 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Because of a software error, the instrument panel display may fail.
“A vehicle’s virtual cockpit instrument cluster may shut down because of detection of an internal fault. When this occurs the engine speed (RPM), vehicle speed and gear/mode indicators will not be displayed. In addition to this, other information, such as time, date and mileage are also not displayed,” Audi said in the mandatory filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, manufacturing, news analysis, quality, recalls, safety, software recalls
Tagged 2021 A6 Sedan A7 A8 Sedan recalls, Audi recall 90VC, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, NHTSA Recall Number 25V201 or 25V-201, Q7and Q8recalls, Robert Bosch GmbH recalls, RS6 Avant recalls, RS7 and RSQ8 recalls, S6 Sedan recalls, S7 S8 A6 Allroad and SQ7 recalls, X @KenAutoinformed
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Dark Roadways Deadly for Cyclists, Pedestrians
The twice-yearly time change is not a major factor in America’s ongoing road safety problem that some call an emergency. However, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation yesterday held a hearing on whether to continue switching back and forth between daylight saving time and standard time every year.
“Whatever you decide to do about the clock, I hope you will also consider actions to keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe, especially after sundown,” said David Harkey president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in written testimony submitted to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, insurance, news analysis, public health, safety, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Harkey, insurance institute for highway safety, Ken Zino, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation, X @KenAutoinformed
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Annals of Marketing – McMurtry Upside Down Spéirling
McMurtry Automotive said today that it has driven its record-breaking Spéirling hyper track car upside down. Proprietary Downforce-on-DemandTM fan system enabled the upside-down driving stunt. Customer deliveries of all-electric hypercar are scheduled for 2026; with 100 to be made. The specific car used was the McMurtry Spéirling PURE Validation Prototype 1 (VP1).
“That was just a fantastic day in the office! Strapping in and driving inverted was a completely surreal experience. The 2000kg of downforce that the fan system can generate is truly astonishing to experience and it’s great to show the reason why our Spéirling continues to take records around the world,” Said Thomas Yates, Co-founder & Managing Director of McMurtry Automotive. Continue reading
Porsche EV Sales Up in Q1 2025
Porsche AG (P911.DE) said today that it substantially increased the share of electrified vehicles it sold in the first quarter of 2025. A total of 71,470 vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide between January and March, 38.5% of which were electrified. This share is comprised of 25.9% all-electric vehicles and 12.6% plug-in hybrids.
“The Macan performed very well in the first quarter and, with the all-electric variant, is making a significant contribution to our increased electrification rate. Overall, we have a very balanced powertrain mix that reflects the different preferences of our customers, globally,” said Matthias Becker, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. Continue reading
Concepts of What Could be a C9 Corvette Concept?
The algorithmic-driven world of electronic media is taking over traditional automotive marketing communications. In the latest example, General Motors (NYSE:GM) used the opening of a new UK advanced design studio to show a concept of what a future concept of the next generation C9 Corvette might look like. The publicity ploy involves multiple studios that will see additional Corvette concepts revealed throughout 2025. Concepts of what could ultimately be a concept of what could be a production hypercar. In short, concepts, almost ad infinitum.
“Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles,” said Michael Simcoe, senior VP of global design. “While they collaborate within our global design network on production and concept vehicle programs, these teams are primarily tasked with imagining what mobility could look like five, 10, and even 20 years into the future and driving innovation for GM.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, design and styling, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, C9 Corvette, Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, GM global design studios, Julian Thomson, Ken Zino, Michael Simcoe, X @KenAutoinformed
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Pew Research on Trump Versus the Media
A Federal Judge has ordered the Trump Administration to reestablish access of The Associated Press to government facilities after The AP refused to use Gulf of Mexico decree from Trump. This prompted the independent Pew Research Center to release its polling data on opinions of, well, the threadbare Trump versus the media attacks.
“Americans are more likely to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the media (46%) than to say the administration has not been critical enough (22%), while 29% say the administration has been mostly fair. Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to say the Trump administration has been too critical of the news media (70% vs. 23%),” Pew noted. Continue reading
Posted in customer satisfaction, fools 'n frauds, news, news analysis, people, shows and events, Trump Truth Tests
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, pew research center, The Associated Press, Trump versus the media, X @KenAutoinformed
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Trump Tariff Pandemic is Crisis for the U.S. Auto Industry
Swamy Kotagiri the Chief Executive Officer of MAGNA spoke to the Automotive Press Association this week in Michigan about the complexities of the global automobile industry. He spoke as global volumes are relatively flat and volumes in North America and Europe are down. Now programs are being canceled after the investments are made. Volumes are being reduced after the capacity is installed.
“There is increased spending over a smaller number of units. This is sub-optimal for returns. And what does our industry look for? Scale and we need stability to be efficient through the value chain, given how the industry works to be efficient,” said Kotagiri, whose next big event is the Shanghai Motor Show at the end of the month to be held in the midst of the ongoing Trump versus the world trade wars. Last year MAGNA did ~$5.5 billion in sales in China, growing 15%. Continue reading →