Mitsubishi Confirms Compact Crossover for US Market

Mitsubishi Confirms Compact Crossover for US Market
Chevrolet Brings 2.0T Equipped 1967 Nova To 2015 SEMA Show
Photos of Mercedes GLS-Class SUV Leaked
2016 Cadillac CT6 Flagship Priced at $54,490
AutoGuide.com Sweeps AJAC Video Awards, Again!
Is Blind Spot Monitoring Worth the Extra Money?

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Mitsubishi has confirmed that it will add a compact crossover to its lineup in the U.S.

The Japanese automaker looks to continue its double-digit sales growth in the U.S. with a five-seater compact crossover that will likely take styling cues from the eX concept that recently debuted at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. In terms of size, the new Mitsubishi offering will be smaller than the Mazda CX-5 and will aim at competing with the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage models. As a result, it will slot between the existing Outlander and Outlander Sport models.

Production for the new model will begin in fall 2017 and its main markets will be the U.S. and Europe. As part of the company's revival plans, Mitsubishi has placed a focus on crossover and SUV markets, forgoing sports cars such as the Lancer Evolution, which has been axed. Its U.S. sales jumped 26 percent through September to 73,257 units. The company expects to see its U.S. sales post another double-digit increase next year with the midyear arrival of the Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid.

[Source: Automotive News]

Discuss this story on our Mitsubishi Forum

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Chevrolet Brings 2.0T Equipped 1967 Nova To 2015 SEMA Show

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Chevrolet is showing its resto-modding skills, bringing a 1967 Nova with a modern powerplant to the 2015 SEMA show.

Where the original Nova used to pack a 275-hp 5.3-liter V8 in the '67 Nova SS, or a 195-hp 4.6-liter V8, this SEMA special Nova uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 272-hp, not far off the original SS's power rating.

2015 SEMA Show Coverage

The smaller engine gives the car less weight to handle, allowing for a 6.2 second sprint to 60 MPH. The car also gets a modern six-speed manual transmission rather than the old four-speed that used to reside in the Nova.

The modern hot-rod is a showcase for Chevrolet Performance catalog. Both the 2.0-liter turbo engine and six-speed transmission are available from the parts shop for whatever duty you see fit.

Chevrolet also notes that this Nova sports other modern and unique hot-rod inspired touches like its billet aluminum grille, narrowed and tucked bumpers, shaved door handles, custom bronze 17-inch wheels and four-wheel disc brakes. The suspension is also height-adjustable via air bags in the front and rear.

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Photos of Mercedes GLS-Class SUV Leaked

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Photos of the upcoming three-row SUV from Mercedes have spilled onto the 'net ahead of its scheduled debut at the 2015 LA Auto Show.

More or less a refresh with a new name, the Mercedes GLS-Class is the new version of last years GL-Class. It's the brand's range-topping SUV, and sports a slightly new design at the front and rear of the vehicle. The leaked photos don't show any updates to the interior as of yet.

Expect the same power trains to carry over to the GLS-Class, meaning a a turbocharged V6 diesel will likely be the base model, sporting 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. A turbo V6 will also likely be available, with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, while a turbo V8 with put out 429 hp and 516 lb-ft. Mercedes has also hinted that a top of the range Mercedes-AMG model will be available with a turbo V-8 making about 550 hp and 560 lb-ft. All models will come with 4Matic all-wheel drive.

There have been rumors of a Maybach version of the GLS-Class coming to the range, we'll have to wait until the car's official debut in LA to learn more.

[Source: World Scoop]

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2016 Cadillac CT6 Flagship Priced at $54,490

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Pricing and equipment details of Cadillac's new flagship sedan have been revealed with the CT6 starting at $54,490 and topping out at $84,460.

The flagship sedan is offered with your choice of three engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 335 hp 3.6-liter V6 and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that is rated to make 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque.

While the four-cylinder turbo model is the base model, and arrives with rear-wheel drive, Cadillac also shared the price points of the V6 models equipped with all-wheel drive. The 3.6-liter V6 model with all-wheel drive will cost $56,490 while the twin-turbo V6 model with all-wheel drive will set you back $65,390.

The Cadillac CT6 will offer magnetic ride control, an on-demand all-wheel drive system, night-vision technology, a display screen and camera setup that is used in place of a rear-view mirror and a 34-speaker sound system.

Cadillac again pointed out that they are planning a plug-in hybrid version of the CT6, though they are keeping quiet about additional details of that model until closer to the launch date.

Cadillac also revealed what CT6 stands for: "Cadillac Touring 6″

Discuss this story on our Cadillac Forum

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AutoGuide.com Sweeps AJAC Video Awards, Again!

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We don't often toot our own horns, but this is definitely an occasion for celebration.

For the second year in a row, AutoGuide.com's team of editors and video producers swept the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) awards category for online videos.

Road Test Editor Mike Schlee took home the runner-up prize for his entertaining review of the 2016 BMW X6 M, while Editorial Director Colum Wood took the win for his road test of the Lamborghini Huracan.

"I really didn't see this one coming," said Wood, "but I'm extremely proud of our team and the top quality videos we produce. We're among an elite few when it comes to our ability to produce world-class videos in the automotive sphere."

"Like last year, it's important to point out that the awards Mike and I won wouldn't be possible without the talent behind the camera, namely AutoGuide video producers Chris Blanchette and Adam Wood."

The awards are presented by Integrated Automotive Experience.

AutoGuide's YouTube channel continues to grow with over 180,000 subscribers and more than 2 million views a month.

Watch Mike Schlee's BMW X6 M Review here:

Watch Colum Wood's Lamborghini Huracan review here:

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Is Blind Spot Monitoring Worth the Extra Money?

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If your side mirrors aren't set up correctly, if you're driving in poor weather or even if you have a sore neck, checking your blind spot may be tough. Fortunately, automakers are offering blind spot monitoring systems on more and more vehicles. Are they worth the extra money?

Your car's blind spots are the areas that are obscured by the vehicle's bodywork. Your side view mirrors can be adjusted to help you get a better view of the area surrounding your car, but sometimes your view around your vehicle is still compromised. Furthermore, when there is more than one driver in your household, some people may be too lazy to adjust the mirrors or may not even notice that the mirrors aren't in the ideal setting until it's too late.

It's important to have your mirrors correctly positioned so you can see where you are changing lanes, or else you risk getting into a major accident. Some automakers are offering blind spot monitoring systems to help you be more aware of what is in the adjacent lane to your vehicle. While the technology is standard on higher end vehicles, it has become an optional extra in many affordable compact cars like the Mazda3 and the Chevrolet Cruze.

Most cars use a radar system to scan the space around your car and will use a bright LED light in your side view mirror, on the inside of your car, on the A-Pillar to let you know if a vehicle is in your blind spot. Furthermore, if you signal a lane change, your car will typically beep at you if there's something in your blind spot, while the warning LED will blink quickly to warn you that it's not safe to change lanes. It certainly catches your attention, and will easily make you reconsider your lane change.

How Useful Is It?

Like forward collision warning systems and lane departure warning systems, blind spot monitoring systems are part of a new suite of technologies being introduced in cars to reduce the number of collisions on the road. According to a study by the IIHS, if all passenger vehicles were equipped with these features, about 1 in 3 fatal crashes and 1 in 5 injury crashes could potentially be prevented or mitigated, which is a huge improvement. Those numbers come from an Institute analysis of 2004-2008 crashes and assume that the systems perform as advertised and drivers respond to them correctly. Further showing the usefulness of blind spot monitoring systems, the IIHS says that these systems would be especially useful in crashes involving trucks.

Alternatives

Honda LaneWatch.

Other automakers are looking at ways to make blind spots less of an issue for drivers. Honda, in particular, has introduced its Lane Watch system, a feature that places a wide-angle camera under your passenger side mirror, and displays its contents on a screen on your dashboard. Seeing how most mirrors feature a field of vision between 18 to 22 degrees, and Honda LaneWatch's field of view is 80 degrees, the system has clear advantages.

Here's what Road Test Editor and noted Honda LaneWatch fan Mike Schlee says about the system.

"A lot of times when I mention that I like Honda's Lane Watch camera, I receive a reply along the lines of "No one needs that if they know how to drive." Well, it might be true that no one needs it, but I guess no one needs rear view mirrors, a back window or windshield wipers either. Honda's Lane Watch camera is not about enabling a lazy driver or providing a crutch for those lacking in ability. It's simply another aide that improves safety and skill level for all motorists alike. With an on-demand, real-time visual display of everything in your vehicles right-rear three-quarter view, Lane Watch helps with highway lane changes, curb parking and general awareness. My only complaint is that there be a function to not have it turn on EVERY time the right turn signal is depressed."

Some automakers, like Infiniti, have active safety systems that will prevent you from changing lanes into another vehicle. Infiniti's Blind Spot Intervention system will detect whether you are trying to change lanes into a car that is in your blind spot and will apply brakes to steer the car away from a potential crash.

Better than your Eyes?

Can you always rely on technology to be better than your own set of eyes? Some studies say that blind spot assistance systems are too sensitive, going off unnecessarily.

ALSO SEE: Should Your Next Car Have Forward Collision Warning?

"Some blind-spot monitoring systems we tested had a short detection range, which meant that a vehicle was already in the blind spot before the alert came on," said Megan McKernan, engineering manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California. "The lane-departure warning system on several vehicles experienced false-positive and miss-detections, which resulted in an inconsistent driver warning."

Some common complaints are that these systems don't understand double turning lanes or are overly sensitive and give false warnings. Bad weather can also affect how accurate the system's sensors are. This causes the driver to stop paying attention to the warnings or to turn them off completely, which defeats the purpose of the system.

The Verdict: Is Blind Spot Monitoring Worth the Extra Money?

While useful, blind spot monitoring systems shouldn't replace your usual driving habits that includes shoulder checks and properly adjusted side mirrors. They do, however, give drivers an added level of safety and the data says that they actually work. Sooner or later, blind spot monitoring systems will become legally mandated, and this is one of those systems you wish you never have to use, but when the time comes when it saves you from a collision, you'll be thankful it had your back.

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Car Reviews

Monday, 2 November 2015