Car Reviews: March 2015

Monday 30 March 2015

Top 10 Future Car Features

Top 10 Future Car Features
2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 Priced from $64,825
McLaren 570S: This is Probably It
Acura ILX Endurance Race Car Revealed
2016 Mazda MX-5 Priced from $25,735
2016 Camaro Drops 200 Pounds

Posted:

When Nissan revealed its Resonance concept, it promised rear seat passengers the ability to control music and media. That concept previewed the new Murano and that feature actually made it to the production vehicle.

Despite their crazy looks and pie-in-the-sky technologies, ideas that are introduced with concept cars show up on production vehicles from time to time. Here's a list of other features that may seem crazy now, but could realistically show up in your next car.

1. Car-to-Car Communication

As more cars get their own Internet connection, they will get the ability to communicate to tell what the flow of traffic is like in a certain location or whether there's ice or snow to watch out for down the road.

Car-to-car communication will also help prevent crashes by allowing vehicles to alert one another of an accident before it is visible to the driver.

2. 3D Gestures

Based on what was on display at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 3D gestures will be one way we will interact with vehicles in the future. Instead of touchscreens, joysticks and buttons, we will control parts of our car by waving our hands. That means you can open the window by waving your hand up or down in the direction you want it to move. Or you can answer the phone by pointing at the information screen. We still think it would be funny if you could honk the horn by raising your middle finger.

3. Smartwatch Integration

Smartphone integration is common in most vehicles, but wearable technology like smartwatches are also starting to get attention. For example, Hyundai's Android Wear app allows for a number of remote features including engine start/stop, door lock/unlock, flashing of the lights and sounding the horn. There app can also help you find your car, call roadside assistance or call Hyundai's Blue Link concierge. What's even cooler is that all those functions can be performed via the voice commands on the smartwatch.

4. Automated Valet Parking

Certain vehicles can pretty much park themselves these days, so the next step is for them to find a spot itself. One key piece of technology that will make this possible is vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. Essentially, a parking garage will talk to the car through a network to tell it where an open spot is available. After dropping off its passengers at the entrance to the parking garage, the car will drive and park itself in that open spot. In order to retrieve the car, the owner just needs to call it up via a smartphone.

This technology can also be used at home, where a car can be taught to remember where to park. That means when you arrive home, you can get out of your car on the driveway and let the car park itself in a predetermined location.

5. Better App Integration (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto)

Later this year, automakers will ship vehicles with infotainment systems that offer many of the same apps and services through the built-in touchscreen as your cell phone does.

This way, you won't have to wait for an update for your car in order to get the latest apps. Furthermore, your phone acts like an Internet hotspot for your vehicle, allowing for connected features.

6. Lightweight Materials

Maybe it's not a feature, but your next car will probably use lightweight materials. By keeping weight down, your car will be more responsive and efficient. For example, the Ford F-150 has a new aluminum body that helps cut 700 lbs from its curb weight.

But aluminum is just the beginning. For example, BMW uses extensive carbon fiber in its i3 electric vehicle, including a carbon fiber passenger cell, something that's close to the carbon fiber monocoques in the most expensive supercars. The next step is for carbon fiber to be put to use in more mainstream products.

7. Full Phone Integration (using phones as keys, etc.)

These days it seems easier to lose track of your keys than your cell phone. So why not get rid of your car keys entirely? Automakers are exploring the possibility of using your phone's near-field-communications (NFC) chip unlock your car with a tap, and even allow you to fire up the ignition instead of a traditional key. Car share programs like Daimler's car2go or BMW's DriveNow both use NFC enabled cards. The next logical step is to use the chips in your phone.

8. New Displays

Digital dashboards and big-screen infotainment systems are becoming a common sight in our cars, but there's no doubt that they could be sexier. One solution is circular LCD panels, which can better mimic the gauge clusters we're used to, but with more customizable information.

Another option is organic light-emitting diode or OLED displays. These OLED displays are awesome because they are flexible, transparent, lighter, thinner better quality than LCD displays. Imagine instead of a projected head-up display, if your entire windshield could be a screen. With OLED displays that's possible.

9. Side Collision Prevention

Now that many cars are getting front-collision warning systems, rear cross-traffic alerts and even ways to prevent a head-on crash, the next step is to stop the possibility of sideswiping or turning into an object.

BMW brought an i3 to the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show outfitted with LiDAR sensors (light-RADAR) that can sense objects around it to determine if there was any risk of colliding or scraping something while you turn. This works well in parking situations where there are barriers, columns or planters where the car will automatically stop the car to prevent a costly mistake. These sensors could also work well on the road where the car can detect other vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles with greater accuracy than just the sensors used for blind spot detection.

10. Biometric (fingerprint) Scanners

The latest smartphones use biometric sensors to unlock your phone using a fingerprint or facial scan. It provides an extra layer of security for a very personal device. Automakers are looking to expand that technology to vehicles too, allowing your fingerprint to lock or unlock your car, or adjust your personal settings in the car like seat adjustments and radio presets.

But some of the biometric sensors can go beyond that. Ford has been working on incorporating a heart-rate and breath rate monitor for the driver in order to alert them or get the attention of emergency services of any impending medical issues.

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2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 Priced from $64,825

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Pricing for the 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 has been announced.

Arriving dealerships in the U.S. starting April 2015, the Mercedes-AMG C63 will start from $64,825 including destination while the more powerful C63 S will be priced from $72,825. Powered by a new 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine, the C63 packs 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque while the C63 S gets an extra shot of power, making 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

Standard equipment on the range-topping C-Class models includes a Burmester sound system, keyless entry, collisions prevention assist plus, attention assist driver drowsiness monitor, AMG Speedshift seven-speed sport transmission, AMG dynamic select, satellite radio, power/heated/memory seats and more.

To make sure that the cars deliver when it comes time to go fast, they come fitted with AMG Dynamic Exhaust, rear limited-slip differential, AMG Adaptive Suspension, AMG three-stage ESP system, 18-inch wheels (C63) or 19-inch wheels (C63 S) and LED headlights. The C63 S also gets dynamic engine mounts, Nappa leather and red brake calipers as standard.

According to Mercedes-AMG, the C63 is capable of going 0-60 in four seconds flat while the C63 S does the sprint in 3.9 seconds. The less powerful model has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph while the C63 S can hit 180 mph.

Discuss this story at our Mercedes-Benz forum

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McLaren 570S: This is Probably It

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Images of McLaren's latest supercar leaked today ahead of its scheduled debut in New York City tonight.

The low-res images, which come from enthusiast forum McLarenlife.com, show off the interior of the car along with front end. The small drawing of the entire car was done by a forum user who saw a full image of the 570S which has since been removed.

2015 New York Auto Show Preview

Judging by the sketch, styling on the new car isn't a large departure from the 650S. This car also shares its vitals with its larger sibling, namely a carbon fiber monocoque and a turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 that generates 570 [metric] horsepower or 562 hp. There aren't any other official details about the car yet.

This is the first car in the new entry-level Sports Series family, which sits at the bottom of McLaren's three-tier product line. Above it are the Super Series and the Ultimate Series.

Discuss this story at our McLaren Forum

[Source: McLarenlife]

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Acura ILX Endurance Race Car Revealed

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Acura is taking the ILX racing.

The new ILX Endurance Race Car was designed specifically to win at the 25 Hours of Thunder Hill, where it will run against cars from Porsche, BMW and more. The car will compete in the NASA Endurance Series.

While the exterior bodywork was kept looking stock, the innards of this car are anything but. The engine gets unique mounts, a lightened flywheel and racing clutch, forged pistons and connecting rods, racing cams, low restriction intake and exhaust and blueprinted fuel injectors. Everything else a race car needs, like a full roll cage, race seats, upgraded suspension and tires, a fuel cell and more are all present on this ILX racer.

Acura also announced that the new NSX will be the official pace car for the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

The ILX Endurance Race Car will debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show.

Discuss this story at our Acura ILX Forum

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Priced from $25,735

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The new 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport will carry a base price tag of $25,735 including destination charges.

The pricing for the new car was announced on Live With Kelly And Michael as part of auto show week. No further details on pricing were divulged.

For that money, you will get a base MX-5, which comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 155 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Curb weight for the new car was announced at 2,332 lbs for the manual-equipped MX-5.

Standard equipment on the car includes a six-speed manual transmission, LED headlights, USB audio input, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a leather-wrapped shift knob and power door locks.

Three trim levels will be offered with the new car: Sport, Club and Grand Touring. Sport acts as the base model while the Club will be outfitted with performance equipment to improve the car's race track times. Finally, the MX-5 Grand Touring sits atop the range, packing a long list of amenities to make this the most comfortable version of the car.

For comparison, the 2015 Scion FR-S carries a base price tag of $25,670.

Mazda will show off the most hardcore version of the 2016 MX-5, the Club Edition, at this week's New York Auto Show. Watch for more details here as AutoGuide covers the show live.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story reported a base price of $24,950.

Discuss this story at our Mazda MX-5 Miata forum

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2016 Camaro Drops 200 Pounds

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Chevy's new Camaro has been put on a diet.

By using aluminum and other lightweight materials, Chevrolet says it has shaved at least 200 lbs off the curb weight of the new Camaro.

"We kept the cornering confidence and control that make the Gen 5 Camaro 1LE so fun to drive, and added a greater sense of agility," said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. "The new Camaro brakes harder, flicks into corners more quickly, and drives out of the corner faster. We expect it will set the benchmark in the segment and give many sports cars a challenge."

The lightest version of the current car, the LS coupe with the automatic transmission, weighs in at 3,702 lbs, while the heaviest version of the car, the automatic-transmission SS convertible, weighs 4209 lbs. That puts the base curb weight of the new car around 3,500 lbs.

SEE ALSO: New 2016 Camaro Details Released

Chevy specifically points out that nine pounds were shaved thanks to a new aluminum beam (pictured right) that is used to support the instrument panel, while new suspension components made from aluminum and a rigid composite material make the entire suspension assembly 21 percent lighter than the current car. The 2016 Camaro now sits on a new platform, another factor that helped the car lose weight.

The unveiling of the new Camaro will take place on May.16 at Detroit's Belle Isle.

Discuss this story at our 6th Generation Camaro Forum

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Sunday 29 March 2015

10. Volkswagen

VW is the least worst on this list of under-performing automakers. The people's car brand averaged 165 problems per 100 vehicles. That score exceeds the industry average of 147 by a fair amount. This is a slight degradation compared to last year's performance, which measured a more respectable 158.

9. Chrysler

Historically Chrysler has NOT been known for quality and this unfortunate tradition continues. The Pentastar brand posted a score of 173, appreciably worse than the 155 is earned last year. What's going on in Auburn Hills? The company's Ram brand did the best of all Fiat-Chrysler divisions, beating the industry average with a score of 134. Apparently they're unable to spread that success across the company.

8. Volvo

Falling behind Chrysler by one point is Volvo, everyone's favorite Swedish/Chinese car company. The brand averaged 174 problems per 100 vehicles, worse than its score of 152 from last year's survey.

7. Ford

Ford posted a disappointing score of 188 problems per 100 vehicles, which means it's fallen behind the industry average by 41. Especially troubling is that it's doing even worse than it did last year. In 2014 the blue-oval brand measured 140.

6. Hyundai

Remember, that's Hyundai like depression … sorry, Hyundai like Sunday. This South Korean automaker tied Ford, eking out a final tally of 188 problems per 100 vehicles. In last year's Vehicle Dependability Study it scored 169.

5. Dodge

Another Chrysler brand with substandard quality? Say it ain't so! Dodge drove away with a rating 192, worse than it did last year when it got a 181 from J.D. Power, though its decline is not as bad as those posted by some rivals.

4. MINI

Trailing Dodge by just one point is MINI. In J.D. Power's 2015 dependability study they earned a score of 193 problems per 100 vehicles. Aside from being perilously close to the 200 mark this performance also means that just three brands did worse. How is it that BMW, their parent company, did better than average yet MINI is in the basement? Do these separate divisions talk to each other? Apparently not.

3. Jeep

Without question Jeep is one of the most fashionable automotive brands in the America right now. It seems like every month this division's sales grow by greater and greater amounts. Regrettably, in spite of this building momentum their reliability is quite lacking. In this latest Vehicle Dependability Study Jeep posted a score of 197 problems per 100 vehicles. It didn't do well last year, either, earning a score of 178.

2. Land Rover

Jeep's performance may have been disappointing but at least they kept things south of 200. The same can't be said of Land Rover, which posted a whopping score of 258! That's a jump of 61 compared to Jeep, but it's not the worst automotive brand in the 2015 Vehicle Dependability Study, oh no.

1. Fiat

That honor, rather dishonor, goes to Fiat, which posted a score of 273. That's like saying every new car they sell has three defects that require attention! That figure is also almost double the industry average. Clearly this Italian brand has work to do.

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2015 Dodge Durango R/T Adds Red Nappa Leather

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The Dodge Durango R/T is getting a little bit of interior spice.

The 2015 Dodge Durango R/T is adding new optionally available "Radar Red" Nappa leather upholstery for $1,195. Previously available only on the Charger and Challenger models in the Dodge lineup, the American automaker has added it to the Durango, complementing the sporty attitude of the R/T model. The Radar Red Nappa leather option is in addition to the black Nappa leather seating already available.

In addition, Dodge announced that the 2015 Durango R/T will now come standard with an all-new 20-inch wheel design finished in a high-gloss "Granite Crystal" finish. The Durango R/T also features a unique sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch performance tires, a 20 millimeter lower ride height, sporty monochromatic exterior appearance with black headlight bezels and LED daytime running lights, R/T-embroidered leather seating with contrast stitching, 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, premium audio with nine speakers and a subwoofer, power liftgate and HID low-beam headlights. Powering the Durango R/T is the company's 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

Discuss this story at our Dodge Durango forum

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2016 Chevrolet Malibu Targets 250K Annual Sales

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GM expects to sell 250,000 Malibus per year when its new generation arrives.

The American automaker will debut the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu next week at the 2015 New York Auto Show and is anticipating it to be a success. So much so, that Reuters is reporting that GM executives have told suppliers to prepare for 250,000 units per year, marking a 33 percent increase over the 188,519 it sold in 2014. The American automaker is also telling suppliers to have the ability to go as high as 300,000 units a year. Last fall, GM told analysts it was targeting sales of 225,000 Malibus for 2016.

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is also expected to bring $1,500 more profit per vehicle than its predecessors, creating a projection for GM of at least $450 million in additional profit from the new model. For years, the Malibu has competed against the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Chrysler 200 and Volkswagen Passat, but even the Chevrolet will admit that it sits near the bottom of the list. "Let's be realistic," Chevrolet director of car marketing Steve Majoros told Reuters. "We're sitting here in seventh or eighth place. We have tremendous opportunity to grow."

[Source: Reuters]

Discuss this story at our Chevrolet Malibu forum

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Friday 27 March 2015

Ford Introduces Technology to Inhibit Speeding

Ford Introduces Technology to Inhibit Speeding
Top 10 Most Anticipated 2015 New York Auto Show Debuts
2016 BMW 7 Series Spied in Aggressive Trim
Audi RS3 Rumored for US Approval
Mercedes Plans Midsize Pickup Truck for 2020
Indian Automaker Wants to Buy Pininfarina

Ford Introduces Technology to Inhibit Speeding

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Ford is bringing technology that could keep you from getting a speeding ticket.

The American automaker's new S-Max, which is available in Europe, features an Intelligent Speed Limiter that will automatically adjust the driving speed to stay within legal limits. Before that starts sounding like an annoyance, the system can be activated through steering wheel controls and the driver can also set their own maximum speed before the system's windscreen-mounted camera takes over, monitoring road signs and automatically slowing down the vehicle if the speed limit is lower than the maximum speed set. Of course the system can also be turned off.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Ford Focus ST Review

According to Ford, the system is effective at speeds ranging between 20 and 120 MPH and will smoothly decelerate the vehicle by restricting fuel supplied to the engine, rather than applying the brakes. In a way, it's similar to what an adaptive cruise control system would do, but the Intelligent Speed Limiter also sounds an alarm if the vehicle is traveling downhill and is exceeding the specified speed.

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  Discuss this story at our Ford forum

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Top 10 Most Anticipated 2015 New York Auto Show Debuts

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Once again we're headed to the Manzana Grande in search of new cars, pizza and the highest concentration of angry taxi drivers in North America.

This year the Javits Center will host debuts for McLaren, Cadillac and Nissan among many others. Keep on scrolling to see the top 10 cars we're looking forward to most.

10. Mystery Honda Announcement

Our friends at Honda won't even give us an off-the-record hint about what they plan to announce next week so we can only speculate.

Rumors of plans to port the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Civic Type R to an American vehicle are swirling. The European Type R probably won't make a direct transition to this market, but a performance oriented Honda with an engine making 306 hp wouldn't be so bad. Would it?

Let's hope that's what they're bringing.

9. 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

When the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu arrives, it will mean that Chevrolet finally has a midsize hybrid sedan efficient enough to compete with segment heavyweights.

It might be hard to imagine looking at the Malibu in a positive light after the deplorable eAssist model, but GM promises the new model can average 45 MPG courtesy of technology cribbed from the second-generation Volt. We just might bite if that's really true.

8. 2016 Mazda MX-5

The MX-5 is one of the world's most lovable cars and the ND generation is shaping up to be the best version yet. Even if it isn't news at this point, it's exciting to know that the next Miata will include a Club Edition with more aggressive styling and presumably a tighter suspension.

7. 2016 Lexus RX

Lexus will unveil the next generation of its most important product – the RX crossover – next week. For perspective, roughly one out of every three vehicles that left a Lexus dealer last year was an RX. In total they sold 107,490 of them, which is also more than double the IS sport sedan, it's second-best citizen.

6. 2016 Kia Optima

We don't know very much about the Optima yet other than the fact that it looks really good. Kia says it will be available with a variety of powertrains (probably a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four cylinder, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder and a hybrid), and technology new to the nameplate.

5. 2016 Scion iM

Scion is going to showcase two new models in New York next week: the iA and iM. The first of those is a badge engineered Mazda2, but the iM is an honest-to-goodness Toyota.

Engineering details about the iM haven't been announced yet, but it's essentially the U.S. market manifestation of the Toyota Auris sold in other markets.

4. 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e

The GLE (called the ML last year) isn't exactly new, but the plug-in hybrid GLE 550e that will debut next week is. It uses a 3.0-liter Biturbo V6 along with a hybrid drive unit built into the seven-speed transmission to generate a total system output of 436 HP and 479 lb-ft of torque.

3. 2016 Nissan Maxima

This is what the 2016 Nissan Maxima looks like. In much the same manner as the Kia Optima that it will compete against directly, we don't have any official details about the parts that make it go.

Despite that, there's a good chance that it will use a V6, probably with a 3.5-liter V6. That engine will almost definitely make somewhere around 300 hp and be linked to a CVT that helps turn the front wheels.

2. 2016 Cadillac CT6

Here's what we know about the CT6 so far: it uses an eight-speed automatic transmission, offers rear- or all-wheel drive with a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Oh and the dang thing can come with up to 34 speakers.

1. 2016 McLaren 570S

Would an auto show be an auto show these days without a supercar debut? Probably, but New York won't need to know the answer to that question because McLaren wil be on hand with a 570S. Like other McLaren products, it uses as 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 and is based on a carbon fiber monocoque structure. In this case it makes 570 metric horsepower (562 hp).

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2016 BMW 7 Series Spied in Aggressive Trim

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AutoGuide.com's spy photographers caught BMW testing a prototype version of the next BMW 7 Series in what looks like an M-design trim.

The photos also offer an early look at the interior of the upcoming BMW 7 Series that will be the first product to arrive on a new platform for the German luxury brand. BMW is expected to underpin most of its future rear-wheel drive lineup with the platform, which will rely on a mixed material strategy including carbon fiber reinforced plastic and magnesium among other lightweight materials. The same platform is expected to underpin the upcoming Rolls-Royce SUV.

But BMW might also field a high-performance "M" version of its flagship sedan. BMW M product boss Carsten Pries told AutoGuide.com during an interview at the 2015 North American International Auto Show that there is demand for an M7, but that the company might not be able to make a business case to offer one.

"We always have more ideas than resources," Pries said during the show.

Discuss this article at our BMW forum

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Audi RS3 Rumored for US Approval

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The historically Europe-only Audi RS3 might finally be available through U.S. dealers in the current generation.

Audi hasn't officially confirmed plans to market the high-performance version of its MQB-based small sedan here, but enthusiast forum Fourtitude reports that the company is discussing the possibility of selling the hotter sub-compact in this market during the Audi of America all employee meeting held yesterday in Maryland.

Audi currently sells the RS3 in Europe as a hatchback, which would contradict the current generation's sedan-only strategy in the U.S. market if it shipped here as-is. Were that to be the case, the car would boast a 2.5-liter TFSI gasoline engine with 362 hp mated to an all-wheel drive system and either a manual or an Stronic dual-clutch gearbox.

Discuss this at our Audi forum

[Source: Fourtitude]

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Mercedes Plans Midsize Pickup Truck for 2020

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Mercedes-Benz will market a pickup truck aimed at Europe, Australia, Latin America and South Africa by 2020.

The new midsize truck, not to be confused with the AMG 6×6 shown above, will be built by its commercial van division and have a metric ton of payload capacity (roughly 2,200 lbs).

"The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets," Daimler chairman and Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche said. "We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value."

Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, told the Wall Street Journal that Mercedes hasn't made a final decision yet on whether it will try to compete in the U.S. market or not. If the company chose to sell its new truck in this market, it would face the 25 percent "chicken tax" that typically dissuades automakers from importing trucks. For example, Volkswagen sells its Amarok pickup in Mexico, but not in the U.S. because of the tax.

Mercedes said the number of pickup trucks being used for private purposes around the world is increasing and that customers are asking for vehicles that offer more car-like specifications. The company said it plans to be the first premium automaker to fill that niche.

Discuss this article at our Mercedes-Benz forum

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Indian Automaker Wants to Buy Pininfarina

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India's largest SUV manufacturer is eyeing the company responsible for designing the Ferrari Testarossa.

Mahindra & Mahindra is in talks to buy Italian design house Pininfarina SpA, according to a report by Bloomberg. The Indian automaker is still in negotiations and no deal has been confirmed, but Pininfarina's stock jumped 26 percent Wednesday, its biggest gain in nearly four years. The boost share price valued the company at $170 million.

Founded in 1930, Pininfarina has been struggling with debt after posting losses in 10 of its past 11 years. The company has a relationship with Mahindra on SUV design and worked with the Indian automaker last year on the Halo electric sports-car concept.

Last year, Mahindra agreed to purchase Peugeot Motocycles SA and also owns Korean automaker Ssanygong Motor Co. from an acquisition in 2011.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Discuss this story at our luxury lifestyle forum

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Thursday 26 March 2015

2015 GMC Canyon Long-Term Review: Side-by-Side with the GMC Sierra

2015 GMC Canyon Long-Term Review: Side-by-Side with the GMC Sierra
Cadillac CT6 gets 34-Speaker Bose Stereo
Toyota Announces New Vehicle Platforms
Scion iA Revealed in Spy Photos
2016 Buick Enclave gets New Tuscan Edition
Toyota Pays Tribute to Jeremy Clarkson

2015 GMC Canyon Long-Term Review: Side-by-Side with the GMC Sierra

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Welcome back to our 2015 GMC Canyon long-term test. To read the whole series, click here.

Recently, a close friend of mind decided he would like to buy a new GMC Canyon. He proceeded into a dealership, where the salesman immediately directed him to a larger Sierra, saying that he was authorized to give big discounts on the half-ton pickup that couldn't be done on the Canyon.

He didn't buy anything at the but, but he asked me for advice about which one would be a better fit. To try and get to the bottom of his problem, I drove a Sierra Crew Cab with the 5' 8" standard box back-to-back with our long-term Canyon.

Quiet cabins and comfortable riding suspension are traits shared by the trucks, along with interior layout and ergonomics. You do sit slightly lower in the Canyon than the Sierra, but its tough to notice the difference from behind the wheel. Similarly, the added length of the Sierra is hardly noticeable.

Width, weight and steering feel are three most apparent differences between the drive of the two trucks. The Sierra is 5.7-inches wider than the Canyon, a number that feels much more substantial in the real world and gives the Canyon a feeling of agility and maneuverability that the Sierra lacks. Some of that feeling can be attributed to the Sierra's curb weight, which is more than 500 lbs greater than the midsize Canyon. Finally, the steering feels more direct and connected in the Canyon that its larger sibling.

When comparing crew cab to crew cab, it's hard to ignore the back seat difference. The Sierra's rear accommodations are comfortable for an adult, even on long drives. The Canyon's rear seats are livable, but begin to feel cramped after a short amount of time, although they are easily the best back seats currently in the midsize pickup segment.

When it comes time to put these two to work, another marked difference appears. The Canyon carries a max tow rating of 7,000 lbs while GMC says you can tow up to 12,000 lbs with a Sierra. I find the Canyon to be more confident at or near its limit, while the Sierra starts to feel a little overwhelmed at or near its max tow rating.

More than any of that, price and cost of ownership are likely to be the deciding factors in what you buy. If you're looking for big savings in the fuel economy department going for the Canyon, don't get your hopes up, as the difference in fuel economy isn't substantial. On an unloaded highway run with the cruise control set at just above 65 MPH, our Canyon returned 20 MPG, just 2 MPG better than we experienced with the 5.3-liter equipped Sierra during our 2014 Truck of the Year testing, which consisted of both highway and city driving. Cylinder deactivation probably played a hand in this result, as it is available on the Sierra's V8 but can't be had with the Canyon's V6.

So without a large fuel economy benefit, does the Canyon pay off? At the base, the trucks are separated by $3,205, with the Canyon carrying an MSRP of $21,880 and the Sierra selling for at least $25,085. Our Canyon SLT costs $40,715 including a few optional extras. A comparable Sierra, with the 5.3-liter V8 and standard 5' 8" box in SLT trim carries an MSRP of $49,830. As my friend discovered first hand, GM has been offering plenty of discounts on its large trucks to move them from dealer lots and even the GMC online configurator offered us a $3,315 "value discount" on the Sierra, bringing the price down to $46,515.

So, what's the answer to the question? To me, it comes down to how each truck gets work done. If you're regularly towing a trailer heavier than 5,000 lbs, the Sierra is a better choice. You won't have to drag out an equalizing hitch ever time you want to pull and the truck won't be working tirelessly to get the load moving. Anything under that weight and the half-ton seems like overkill.

Discuss this story at our Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon Forum

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Cadillac CT6 gets 34-Speaker Bose Stereo

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The interior of the upcoming Cadillac flagship has been previewed.

To show off the car's stereo setup, Bose has released a rendering of the innards of 2016 Cadillac CT6, which will make its official debut at the 2015 New York Auto Show next week. Dubbed the Bose Panaray system, it marks the global debut of the company's new line of "Advanced Technology Series" sound systems.

In total, there will be 34 speakers inside the Cadillac CT6, nearly all of them measuring less than four inches in diameter. According to the American automaker, the Bose Panaray system "reproduces music with more clarity, precision and deep bass than any system preceding it."

Check back with AutoGuide.com for more information on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 as we'll be reporting live from the 2015 New York Auto Show.

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Toyota Announces New Vehicle Platforms

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Toyota announced today that the first product based on a new platform strategy will launch later this year.

The yet-unnamed mid-size front-wheel drive vehicle will be the first to use the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), a new, modular approach to vehicle platforms akin to Volkswagen Group's modular platform strategy that the company says will help it cut the resources it needs by "20 percent or more." Following the first vehicle, the company will roll out specific new platforms for both front-wheel drive compact and large vehicles as well as rear-wheel drive products.

This year Toyota anticipates that it will be able to reduce the capital investment required to introduce a new vehicle to its production lines by 50 percent compared to what it would have cost in 2008 when the auto industry went into decline.

By 2020, approximately half of Toyota's global product portfolio is scheduled to shift onto the new platforms.

The company also reiterated its commitment to hybrid powertrains today, saying it anticipates a 15 percent improvement in its hybrid systems by re-thinking its drive unit layout and shrinking their components.

Along with new hybrid parts, the company says it plants to work in concert with suppliers to create powertrain components with its new modular vehicle platforms in mind that will reduce vehicle weight and offer a lower center of gravity.

As the world's largest automaker, this is a critical milestone for Toyota's continued success in the foreseeable future. Last year the company reported selling 10.23 million vehicles worldwide ahead of Volkswagen at 10.14 million units and General Motors with 9.92 million. Volkswagen is scrambling to design products that will appeal to drivers in the U.S. where it is struggling to compete while investing heavily in manufacturing operations here.

Meanwhile, Toyota has been able to reap the benefits of a weak yen combined with massive sales that will allow the company to funnel more money into developing products in its increasingly efficient strategy.

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Scion iA Revealed in Spy Photos

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Scion is preparing to release its first sedan model and new spy photos have fully revealed the car.

The iA, Scion's new small sedan, was caught uncovered during filming for a commercial in California. The car is based on the Mazda2 sedan and will be built alongside the new 2 in Mazda's Mexican assembly plant.

Front end styling has been revised by Scion to clearly separate the iA from the Mazda2, although the back end and profile of the car still carry clear Mazda design cues.

Under the hood, a 1.5-liter four-cylinder SkyActiv engine will provide power.

Mazda has apparently allotted space for production of 50,000 Scion sedans a year. In Canada, the new Scion iA will be sold at the Toyota Yaris Sedan.

The new iA will make its official debut on March. 31, the eve of the 2015 New York Auto Show.

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2016 Buick Enclave gets New Tuscan Edition

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Buick has introduced a new special edition model of the Enclave.

Known as the Tuscan Edition, this new model is all about style, packing a bronze grille along with 20-inch chrome wheels finished with bronze accents. The package can be added to the Leather or Premium-trim Enclave, and can be had in three different colors: white frost tricoat, dark chocolate metallic or ebony twilight metallic.

SEE ALSO: 2015 New York Auto Show Preview

Also included in the package are a dual moonroof, heated steering wheel, LED ambient lights, heated front seats, Intellilink infotainment, OnStar, HID headlights, power liftgate and rear park assist.

The Enclave Tuscan Edition will make its official debut next week at the 2015 New York Auto Show.

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Toyota Pays Tribute to Jeremy Clarkson

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Whether you're one of the countless people Jeremy Clarkson pissed off or inspired, there's no denying the impact his departure form Top Gear will have.

As Chris Harris pointed out in an op-en column published on Jalopnik yesterday, Clarkson, May and Hammond created a cult following of viewers that generated interest in the auto industry among people who might have otherwise never cared for it. Clarkson's time with TG is riddled with controversy ranging from a seemingly brazen penchant for using racial slurs to the occasional lawsuit by an automaker. Remember Tesla?

None of it mattered then and it certainly doesn't now. If there was ever a question in your mind about the value that Top Gear offered to manufacturers, the tribute video Toyota U.K. released yesterday should settle the score. Even the companies behind the cars that he and his pals would routinely review and sometimes rag on will miss their shenanigans.

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