Monthly Archives: March 2016
2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Unveiled With 640hp, 10-Speed Auto
Everyone thought the 1LE would be the biggest and meanest Camaro to be unveiled this year. Well, we’re dead wrong. According to Motor Authority, Chevrolet just announced the debut of the new Camaro ZL1, which packs a staggering 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque.
That power comes from the familiar supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 found in cars like the Corvette Z06 and Cadillac CTS-V. This is combined with the lighter chassis of the sixth-generation Camaro’s Alpha platform.
The combination would give Ford’s Mustang Shelby GT350R a run for its money. It can even embarrass some other “powerful machines,” such as those being churned out by Porsche.
There are no significant details yet about the power and speed of the new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, but expect it to be faster, of course, than the previous ZL1 that can run the quarter mile in 11 seconds. The new ZL1 has 60 horsepower more than the previous version, and it also weighs 200 pounds less.
And with the 10-speed automatic transmission, expect it to move right up there in the speed ranking. The transmission was developed with Ford, which initially wanted it for the new F-150 Raptor.
But those who don’t have the need for such speed can have the standard 6-speed manual with rev-matching.
There are other technologies used in the new ZL1 that has nothing to do with speed, but with a more efficient performance. The list includes magnetic ride control, an electronic limited-slip differential, performance-oriented traction control, launch control and a driving modes selector.
The new ZL1 has massive Brembos with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear too. Then, there are 15.35-inch discs at the front and 14.37-inch discs at the rear. The car sits on 20-inch wheels shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 tires that measure 285/30 at the front and 305/30 at the rear.
The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will have its world debut next week at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more details.
Mercedes-Benz Mildly Updates CLA Coupe and CLA Shooting Brake
The sign of a successful car is an almost invisible midway into its life. You know you’re making a good choice in buying a particular vehicle if the company has a reputation of improving the current version even before a new model comes out.
Mercedes-Benz is doing us all a favor in putting mild adjustments on its CLA four-door coupe and its Shooting Brake version. Although even owners of the coupe and the Shooting Brake may not be able to tell the difference, it’s still a welcome development for those who have yet to get their hands on the Merc.
The marketing materials from the company pointed out that there’s a new coat hook in the CLA’s grab handles, but that only means the car is evolving rather than introducing new technologies.
Of course, there are highlights, and these are quite literal, in a sense. With the update, Mercedes lovers can expect new LED high performance headlights that use less than half of the energy of equivalent xenons. That speaks of the Merc’s ability to adjust itself to calls for more eco-friendly vehicles.
These said headlights also offer a kind of illumination that is almost similar to natural daylight. This would be then helpful to people who usually find it hard maneuvering through dark streets—something the company can address succinctly by merely changing the headlights.
Then, there’s the suspended mid-air media screen that is smarter and slender than the previous version. It might not be that big of a deal for some, but it’s perfect for one’s line of vision.
The CLA has a new engine, too. The cheapest is the CLA180 diesel that emits just 89g/km of CO2, roughly the same as the Prius. It comes in front wheel drive and manual transmission.
As you go up the range, there’s AWD and automatic transmission, the most powerful of which is the CLA45 AMG models that has the same updated 376bhp 2-litre petrol turbo engine as the A45 AMG.
The CLA Coupe will debut next week at the New York Motor Show while the CLA Shooting Brake will launch in April at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Berlin. Deliveries of both start in July.
A Look at the Mazda CX-4 Before The Beijing Auto Show
Mazda is joining the coupe-like crossover bandwagon with the CX-4, and we couldn’t be any more excited. Glimpses of the new crossover from Mazda were seen recently, and it looks to be very promising.
The CX-4 will make its world debut next month at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, but a single teaser shot was released to make us think more about what this crossover is bringing to the table.
The CX-4 will come into sale later this year, so this will most likely be a 2017 model, sources have been saying. It was first hinted by the Koeru concept car at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, but no details have been released since then whether the project was pushing through or not.
There was a long discussion about where the CX-4 would stand back when it hasn’t been given that name. But now that Mazda has confirmed the name, it looks to be sitting in between Mazda’s CX-3 and CX-5, both high-profile vehicles. The company also said it would be sportier that other tall wagons.
Based on the single photo, the CX-4 will most likely resemble the CX-5. They will also share the same platform, as well as a slew of other features, including the same 8.8 wheelbase and engine offerings.
If we are to follow CX-5’s platform, then this would mean the CX-4 will either have the 2.0-liter four-cylinder capable of 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque or the more potent 2.5-liter four cylinder that has 184 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque.
There were rumors that the CX-4 will only come in sale in China, but let’s hope these are mere unfounded rumors.
The 2016 Beijing Auto Show isn’t until April 25, so that’s a long wait for more information about the Mazda CX-4. Although judging from the single photo the company released, it looks to be worth the wait.
Source: Car and Driver
2017 Toyota Highlander Boasts a New V-6
The crossover segment is getting into a tough fight this year, and Toyota’s not letting their Highlander just go by without a bang. The new 2017 Highlander is expected to debut at the New York Auto Show on March 23, and will highlight some new mid-cycle updates Toyota has been boasting about.
The current Toyota Highlander has done very well in the segment. It has record gains in both 2014 and 2015 with 146,127 and 158,915 examples sold, respectively. With these upgrades, Toyota is expecting for a boost on this trend according to a report.
The new Highlander has a refreshed front grille, a 3.5-liter V-6 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, LE and XLE trims on the hybrid, the sporty SE trim level, and a host of other safety features on the standard variant.
It will continue offering eight seats, a choice of a four-cylinder, hybrid, or V-6 powertrain, FWD or AWD, and other optional equipment. Those who are not a fan of the minivan can get the Highlander instead—Toyota’s premiere people hauler.
On the exterior, the new Highlander will change nothing from the 2016 version except for the front grille and a larger and more SUV-ish appearance. There are three new color options available—the Celestial Silver Metallic, the Toaster Walnut Pearl, and exclusive on the SE is the Salsa Red Pearl.
The SE, by the way, will also come with trim-exclusive, 19-inch alloy wheels, dark paint treatment on the front grille and roof rails, as well as smoked headlight lenses.
Inside, Toyota is offering a new brown leather color for the Limited Platinum trim. On the SE, the new black leather seats will come with silver inserts and stitching. The Highlander will still come with eight seats, thanks to second row seating. But on the Limited and Limited Platinum, the second row can turn into captain chairs.
The new Highlander will most likely have these features under the hood: 290 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque.
Pricing for the 2017 Highlander has yet to be announced, but expect it to start at roughly $30,990.
Mazda To Debut MX-5 Miata Power Retractable Hard Top
Sources have been abuzz that Mazda will introduce during the New York Auto Show later this month a Power Retractable Hard Top version of its MX-5 Miata.
Mazda has confirmed already that there are plans to unveil a new model during the auto show, but no details have been released regarding the said launch. What the company did say is that it would be a “world premiere” and that the car will “blow the lid off.”
With such a description, it may be safe to assume that a retractable hard top is on its way for the MX-5 Miata, currently in its fourth generation and is only available as a soft-top convertible.
This was quite a curious move for Mazda since other models have already offered both a soft-top and hard-top retractable roof. There was even one with a fixed roof.
To say that the company is simply bowing down to measure is quite an understatement. It has a valid, logical reason as to why it would introduce a retractable hard top. Since its introduction back in 2007, the variants with the PRHT have created huge following in the Miata family.
Mazda said that the hard top variant would be lighter than the ones fitted on previous models. This would, of course, help in the speed and power of the Miata. It would also provide a more compact look, and would free up extra cargo capacity.
Although the top would most likely add a bit of a weight to the roadster, this would still be popular for people living in the colder part of the world.
Under the hood, the same would probably be found in the MX-5 Miata—a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine at 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional six-speed automatic unit.
More details would be revealed at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned.
2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 Is Simply Badass
Can we just stop for a while to take in how badass the 2016 Jeep Crew Chief 715 is? Since 2002, Jeep and Mopar, its parts division, teamed up to create one-off concept vehicles for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah from March 19 to 27.
This year, according to TopSpeed, Jeep churned out seven concept vehicles ready for Moab’s tough trails. But 2016 is no ordinary year for the company as it is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Jeep Safari, as well as the company’s 75th anniversary—with beginnings originating from World War II. Over the years, concepts for the Easter Jeep Safari have paid tribute to the maker’s wartime history.
This year, the Jeep Crew Chief 715, designed to recall the Kaiser M715 US Military Truck, will do the honors. The Kaiser M715 was produced between 1967 and 1969, and was based off the Jeep Gladiator pickup.
The Crew Chief 715 based its concept from Wrangler Unlimited with slight changes thanks to Jeep and Mopar engineers, designers and fabricators. Mopar used both dealership-available and prototype pieces for the Crew Chief.
In the past, Jeep used these concepts to test new accessories future productions would have. There’s no telling for sure what will end up in the parts catalogue, but chances are big these concepts would feature some of the major additions there.
Every year since 2002, thousands of Jeep enthusiasts trek to Moab to take part or even just to watch the Jeep Safari. This year, expect more to flock as the new concept are intriguingly going to be part of a host of production Jeep vehicles in the future.
Surely, the attraction of seven new concepts would attract the biggest gathering of Jeep enthusiasts. The event, by the way, is open to the public, so better check out those schedules right now.
Check out some photos of the new Jeep Crew Chief 715 concept below:
2016 Honda Civic Coupe Starts At $19,885
Honda traditionally gives its Coupe buyers a bit of a discount for halving the number of doors, but that stops now. The new 2016 Honda Civic Coupe will start at $19,885 for the base LX trim with a six-speed manual transmission according to CarAndDriver.
To be blunt, that’s $410 higher than the 2016 Civic sedan LX manual. The price difference might not be that high but Honda has taken a different step here in pricing the coupe more than the sedan.
Well, to be fair to Honda, the two models aren’t similar exactly. The coupe will sport the standard alloy wheels while the sedan LX will make do with steel wheels and wheel covers.
Both come with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and if you want the CVT automatic option, it would add $800 to the LX coupe’s and sedan’s standard lines. This is another new step for Honda since other coupe trims offer only a CVT.
As you move up the range of the coupe and the sedan, the prices would vary since the trim-level structure isn’t exactly similar to that of the sedan. The coupe’s exclusive LX-P trim starts at $21,684 and includes passive entry, remote start, push button ignition, as well as a sunroof.
The coupe EX-T, on the other hand, has turbocharged engine, heated seats and other features for $23,135, or $100 more than the EX-T sedan. The EX-L coupe, which costs $24,260 or $275 less than the EX-L sedan, also includes leather seats.
If you opt for the coupe, you won’t be getting as a standalone option the Honda Sensing active-safety features, which costs $1,000. Also, systems such as the adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and lane-keep assist would only be available on the top-trim Civic coupe Touring, which is priced at $26,960.
The Civic coupe will be available starting next week on March 15. Honda will also launch an online configuration tool for the couple.
Redesigned 2017 Subaru Impreza To Launch Late March
The Subaru Impreza Sedan concept car.
Subaru‘s 2017 Impreza will ride on the new modular platform the company introduced earlier this week. The new redesigned compact in both sedan and hatchback variants will debut later this month—on March 23 to be exact—at the New York Auto Show.
Aside from a redesigned platform, the new compact will also have a sleeker design language compared to the Subaru Impreza Sedan and Impreza Hatchback shown earlier during the auto show season.
But of course, remember that Subaru always churned out mightily impressive stylish cars as concepts that turn out to be a dud in production. This has been the curse of the company in the past years. Here’s hoping Subaru can break that cycle, though leaks of the production 2017 Impreza don’t look as good as the concept.
The Subaru Global Platform, which will be used as well other future Subarus, promises improved refinement, a lower center of gravity, and increased stiffness.
The platform is 70 to 100 percent more rigid than the current chassis, and it is 40 percent more in terms of impact energy absorption.
The key Subaru features will remain, so the new Impreza will likely have a boxer-four engine and all-wheel drive as standard.
Customers can also enjoy Subaru’s EyeSight, which included active safety features, as well as other tech features. The interior is likely to be more spacious too.
The new Impreza hatchback was first seen in silver at the Tokyo Motor Show while a red sedan added a trunk at the LA Auto Show a month later.
However, the debut will only include the more basic Impreza lineup. Subaru fans will have to wait for a new version of the Impreza-based sport compact. But those who want the next XV Crosstrek may enjoy having it sooner since it was already previewed as a concept at the Geneva Auto Show last week.
Is The Porsche Macan Coming To The US?
A few years back, Porsche introduced the Macan, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is second to none. It did not confirm back then if the Macan will be available for US consumers so US-based Porsche lovers were left to wonder.
On the other hand, an entry-level Macan, of course, is accessible for certain global market while the UK certainly has it out in the market already.
But now, it looks like Porsche finally decided to bring the Macan to US shores, according to well-placed insiders and sources. We have to wait for an official announcement, as well as more information about that, though.
For those who are not familiar, the Macan houses a corporate VW Group inline four-cylinder engine, and not the turbocharged flat-four used by the new 718 Boxster sports car. Still, that turbo four engine makes 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It is coupled with a seven-speed and dual-clutch automatic.
Up until now, the regular Macan you will see in the US is the S version, which is powered by a 340-hp twin-turbocharged V-6. There are two other variants—the Macan Turbo with a 400-hp power on its twin-turbo V-6 and the ultra sporty Macan GTS.
More than power, Porsche Macan also improved its fuel economy. The V-6 diesel model, which would most likely face challenges because of emission testing, will probably arrive in the US sometime this year too.
If you base your judgement on specs alone, the four-cylinder engine Macan utilized is similar to the unit placed on the 2017 Audi A4. But remember that the Porsche is way heavier than the Audi A4 so it remains to be seen how the engine will fit in a much heavier body.
This machine should definitely have a price lower than $50,000 since the Macan S starts at $53,650.00.
New Infiniti Q50 Packs Refreshed Looks And Features
Infiniti Q50 is new in the world of compact luxury sedans as it evolved from the G-series model that started in 2013. But even though it is new and untested, it brings to the table to timeless combination of good looks, high tech features, and amazing performance.
The previous Q50 is the best selling production of Infiniti in North America, with sales numbers growing in the past years. It’s no wonder that it’s getting a lot of attention from the company this year. The Q50 is receiving a lot of updates, including updated infotainment, revised suspension technology and new engine options.
But the change that tops the cake is the 400-horsepower twin-turbo V-6, which, although is a far away throw from the 560-horsepower, GT-R derived Q50 Eau Rouge concept we have been expecting, still packs some power.
When it comes to the exterior, the 2016 Q50 is almost basically unchanged. It retained the front fascia, the 3D mesh double-arc grille, LEDs for headlights and daytime lights, and chrome for the side window surrounds, door handles and trunk. There are also taut creases on the hood that adds a muscular style to the roofline, shoulder line, bottom door line and rear bumper.
As for the color, it looks like the 2016 Q50 will only be offered in red, but that brings out the powerful aura more, don’t you think?
Inside, it pretty much looks the same as the previous model with a few tweaks here and there. You get the sophisticated feeling of the gentle curving lines and premium materials used for the seats. The steering wheel has three spokes and dual multi-function pads, as well as an optional heating function and paddle shifters made from magnesium.
The front row seats, which have heating options, face a center console that includes an 8-inch touchscreen above and a 7-inch unit below.
The 2016 Infiniti Q50 will start at a price range of $33,950 for the 2.0-liter I4 turbo option.
Source: TopSpeed