Acura Limits Annual NSX Production

Acura Limits Annual NSX Production
GM Ignition Switch Death Count Reaches 45
2016 Lexus GS F Powers Into Detroit
GAC GS4 Concept Debuts in Time for Chinese New Year
GM Debuts Two New Truck Trims in Detroit
2016 BMW 6 Series Facelift Debuts in Detroit

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Acura's new American-built supercar will be assembled at a set annual pace, even if that means making some customers wait.

The 2016 NSX finally debuted at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show three years after its first concept preview first went on display here. Production begins this fall at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, assembly facility leading up to a launch scheduled for the 2016 model year that will yield a limited number of vehicles per year. "We are thinking in terms of demand minus one. It is clear that this is a small volume one-by-one production," NSX global large project leader Ted Klaus said on the sidelines of the Acura display. " So we are going to not add additional manpower and additional shifts to produce the vehicle."

The company hasn't officially disclosed the number of models it plans to produce each year, but Acura might be able to better leverage a halo from the NSX by keeping a line at the door. For example, Ferrari caps its annual production to maintain an image of exclusivity.

2015 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Early prototypes of the NSX used a transverse naturally aspirated engine in a layout akin to the original car, Klaus said during a round table discussion with reporters. That didn't stick during development and Honda ultimately opted for a longitudinally mounted twin-turbo V6 in large part to leave space for building higher performing models later in the cycle plan.

Acura's new exotic is still going through final validation, but the company said during its press conference that the twin-turbo V6 hybrid system, which relies on three electric motors, will generate at least 550 hp. An official price hasn't been announced yet, but a company source familiar with the matter said Acura is targeting a price point of roughly $150,000.

Discuss this story at our Acura NSX forum

GM Ignition Switch Death Count Reaches 45

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The number of deaths related to the GM ignition switch recall continues to rise.

The American automaker's compensation fund has now approved 45 deaths and 67 injury claims, increasing the death toll by three and injury claims by nine. The new totals come with about three weeks left for owners and relatives to submit claims. GM compensation adviser Kenneth Feinberg has declared 320 claims ineligible, including 49 death claims, while 738 claims are still under review and 783 have been submitted without documentation.

In total the number of death claims have reached 303 and serious injury claims have increased to 202. As of last month, 65 compensation offers have been made with 41 being accepted while none have been rejected.

Discuss this story at our General Motors forum

2016 Lexus GS F Powers Into Detroit

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The letter F stands for a lot of things, but at Lexus it should stand for fast. It's the designation used on the brands sportiest models and this year that lineup expands to include the GS F.

At the forefront of the GS's transformation is a change under the hood. Gone is the 3.5-liter V6, replaced by a 5.0-liter V8 making 467 hp and 389 lb-ft of torque. It will be paired exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.

Although this isn't the first time a V8 has been offered in a GS model, it's the first time one is being offered in this latest generation and it's by far the most powerful engine ever offered in the GS range.

2015 Detroit Auto Show Complete Coverage

To help get power to the ground, the GS f will use Lexus' Torque Vectoring Differential that first appeared on the RC F coupe. The car's structure has been reinforced and the suspension setup is exclusive to the F model. To further enhance performance, the GS F comes with driver selectable modes such as slalom and track.

The 4,000-lb. sedan will wear 19-inch wheels at all four corners with wide 275 mm tires in the rear.

Although the GS F isn't quite ready to take on the likes of the BMW M5 or the Cadillac CTS-V, it is a significant step-up in performance over the regular GS 350 and gives you more choice, which is always a good thing.

Discuss this story on our Lexus GS forum

GAC GS4 Concept Debuts in Time for Chinese New Year

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Like Korean and Japanese car companies before them, the Chinese are coming. Guangzhou Automobile Group introduced a new crossover concept at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Called the GS4, it's a compact utility dressed in GAC's "light sculpture 2.0" and "flying dynamics" family design (their words, not ours). This vehicle's overall appearance brings to mind a Subaru XV Crosstrek rear-ending a Hyundai Sonata, though that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Giving it a little extra visual pizzazz it wears matte butterscotch-colored paint.

Two engines are offered in this crossover and both have turbochargers to boost output. The smaller of this duet is a 1.3-liter unit, the larger displaces 1.5-liters. Output figures have not been announced but it's safe to bet horsepower could top out at several dozen. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission handles shifting duties.

Inside the GS4 looks surprisingly upscale, with soft materials, clearly laid-out controls and tasteful bright work. Overall the cockpit is reminiscent of something built by Hyundai.

2015 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Other features of the GS4 include Euro5 emissions compliance, four-wheel disc brakes and 18-inch wheels. But best of all if you want to check this crossover out on your own you don't even have to buy a ticket to the Detroit show. GAC's booth is conveniently located in the lobby.

GM Debuts Two New Truck Trims in Detroit

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General Motors is showcasing two new trim levels for its trucks at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Chevrolet is offering the Silverado "Custom Sport" trim level for the 2016 model year, adding bumpers, a grille surround and chrome accented grille that all match the body color. The package also includes 20-inch chrome wheels along with door handles and mirror caps and body-side molding also finished in chrome. The package will cost between $1,950 and $2,950 and is reserved for LT or LTZ versions of the Silverado. Despite the name, Chevrolet isn't adding any sort of noteworthy performance upgrades as a part of the package.

2015 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

GMC also debuted a special truck package in Detroit this week for the new Canyon mid-size pickup that it calls the "Nightfall" edition for SLE crew cab models. The trim package mostly blacks out the body and adds polished exhaust tips and 18-inch wheels. The package also includes a remote starter and automatic climate control.

GALLERY: Silverado Custom Sport

GALLERY: GMC Canyon Nightfall Edition

Discuss this story at our GMC Canyon forum

2016 BMW 6 Series Facelift Debuts in Detroit

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BMW's high-priced highway cruiser received a number of mild upgrades for 2016 that are on display at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.

Changes under the hood are minimal, but the exterior is refreshed with an updated front fascia, new headlights, redesigned side view mirrors. There's also a redesigned rear end that emphasizes the cars wide track with more chrome and wider exhaust exits on six-cylinder models.

Looking at the front end of the car, the kidney-grille design in the 6 Series has been changed slightly with fewer bars in the grille. The car also features a new front apron, with a single air intake opening. The car's front fog lamps have also been updated with a decorative surround, that is specific to the body style of the car: chrome on convertible models and high-gloss black for the coupe and Gran Coupe models. The headlight design has also been slightly updated.

2015 Detroit Auto Show Coverage

Aerodynamics have been improved with that front apron and the newly designed side-view mirrors. Those mirrors also feature integrated side-markers.

The 6 Series is still available with rear or all-wheel drive in three all body styles (coupe, gran coupe and convertible) and can be equipped with a 315 HP six-cylinder or a 445 HP eight cylinder engine. The 640i models now get a standard sport exhaust system that features a switchable exhaust valve that can quiet down or enhance the exhaust note.

BMW says 66 percent of its 6 Series sales come from the U.S. The updated grand tourer will hit showrooms in the second quarter of 2015.