Monthly Archives: April 2016
2017 Audi A6, A7 Received Minor Tweaks
The Audi A6 and A7 received mid-year tweaks for 2016, wherein we saw a refreshed exterior styling and more technology inside. But for the 2017 model, Audi decided to update the A6 and A7 just a little bit more with a more stylish exterior and a high-tech interior.
Although the specifications for the United States version have yet to be released, what we can confirm is that both cars will have updated front and rear bumpers, an expanded color palette, and new wheel patterns.
But that’s just for the exterior.
Inside, there are new LED ambient lighting packages, aluminum and wood dashboard accents, and advanced tech features. The updated Audi A6 and A7 have an improved Apple CarPlay, Android Auto smartphone integration, and a wireless charging pad.
The cars also come packed with an available rear-seat entertainment package wherein a pair of tablet PCs can make being rear passengers more comfortable and entertaining even.
There is no major change in terms of drivetrain, meaning it remains at 2.0-liter 4-cylinder base option for the A6 and 3.0-liter V-6 base option for the A7. On the other hand, the S6 and S7 will continue having the 4.0-liter V-8 engine. The same goes for the RS 7.
As we are all aware of, the Volkswagen Group has an ongoing diesel scandal. Because of this, it is more likely that we won’t see a diesel option for the updated 2017 A6 and A7.
Deliveries for both cars will start in the second half of the year, so you don’t have to wait too long. Pricing details have not been threshed out yet, but it is expected to remain unchanged from the 2016 A6 and A7.
This year, the A6 started at $46,200 while the A7 is at $68,300. These figures include the destination already.
Holden Introduces Commodore Black Edition 2016 Model
GM’s announcement that it will shut down all Australia production in 2017 had as thinking that the Commodore will be discontinued, meaning the facelift for the 2016 model will be the last one. And since it won’t be in production next year, Holden is now on the race to churn out as many special editions as possible, including the Black Edition.
The new Commodore Black Edition will be available in sedan, sportwagon and ute bodystyles from mid-April. It will be based on the popular SV6 and sporty SS models, so it can effortlessly blend with substance to ensure the best Commodore experience ever.
Based on the SV6 and SS models, the Black Edition would have the following content: Auto Park Assist, Rear View Camera with Reverse Traffic Alert, and MyLink infotainment system with an eight inch colour touch screen display.
But the Black Edition goes further with a stylish black exterior and unique 18-inch alloy wheels. This gives the Black Edition a stronger presence on the road. Inside, its red contrast stitched seats give off that premium interior feel.
Other additional contents are Color Head Up display, satellite navigation, black grille, DRL surrounds and mirror scalps, black lip spoiler for the sedan version, unique “Black Edition” carpet floor mats for the front, and exterior Black Edition badging.
In terms of drivetrain, there is no major change. Depending on the trim, you can get either a 3.6-liter V-6 or a 6.2-liter V-8. The 3.6-liter with the Commodore V6 can produce 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet. It has six-speed manual transmission as standard and a six-speed automatic with Active Select as an option.
Then, there’s also the more powerful 6.2-liter V-8 is offered with the SS trim. This can churn out 408 horsepower and 420 pound-feet with transmission choices of six-speed manual and six-speed automatic.
The Black Edition comes with an additional $1,000 price tag over the current retail price of the Commodore.
2017 Renault Koleos To Be Unveiled In Beijing
It looks like French automaker Renault will have a new replacement for the compact Koleos crossover, and it will be a seven-seater flagship SUV ready to compete with the likes of Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda and Honda.
Renault confirmed it will carry the Koleos name, and that it be launched at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show. The company also unveiled the first official photo of the Koleos.
On the outside, what we can confirm is that the Koleos will be 5 meters longer than the current model, which has a length of 4.5 meters. With that size, it will be the biggest Renault passenger vehicle in production.
Aesthetically speaking, it will receive the same treatment as the Renault Talisman and Mega ne. It has a rectangular shape headlights and a LED running lights underneath that is hook-like in shape.
The design will be built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s Common Module Family, a partnership formed in 1999. The platform is also currently used for the Nissan Qashqai, Nissan X-Trail, Renault Espace and Renault Kadjar.
Inside, the cabin has that extra third row to fit seven people. This is a pretty major adjustment for the Renault. The head, hip and leg room are all pretty spectacular given the size of the SUV. But if you’re worried about compartment, don’t be. The one-touch folding rear seats will make sure to provide that.
The Koleos will inherit the Nissan X-Trail various drivetrain options, which include a gas-powered 2.0-liter inline-four that can produce 143 horsepower, a gas-powered 2.5-liter inline-four with 170 horsepower, and a diesel-powered 1.6-liter inline-four with 130 horsepower.
Transmission choices will include a six-speed manual and a six-speed EDC automatic with FWD as standard and AWD as optional.
Prices of the current Koleos are varied in markets, and the successor will might follow suit. In Australia, it starts at $28,490.
2017 Honda Accord Hybrid More Powerful, Fuel Efficient
2017 BMW 7 Series Centennial Edition Will Only Have 100 Units
Since BMW is celebrating its centenary in 2016, it decided to start the celebration with the Vision Next 100 Concept for the Mini, Rolls Royce and BMW Motorrad brands. But more than anything else, the company will also introduce the BMW 7 Series Centennial Edition, a lineup consisting of three models each designed by the German brand’s Individual division.
The Centennial Edition will come packed with an exclusive exterior finish and luxurious interior in high-grade leather and other expensive materials. All of the models will bear the lettering “The Next 100 Years,” similar to the concept.
There are basically three drive variants available for the Centennial Edition: the BMW 740Le iPerformance and BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance with plug-in hybrid system, the V8 model BMW 750Li and BMW 750Li xDrive, and the BMW M760Li xDrive with a 12-cylinder power unit.
But regardless of your choice of engine, the appearance, driving experience and luxurious ambience of the sedan’s interior will still be the same. The sedan comes with the exclusive centenary model paint finish, 20-inch BMW Individual alloy wheels, BMW Individual fine grain Merino full leather trim, and interior refinements from BMW Individual.
Then, there’s the handcrafted signet with the lettering “The Next 100 Years” on the B pillars, the interior strips above the glove compartment on the passenger side, and the front and rear seat headsets.
The Centennial Edition, in particular the BMW Individual 750Li The Next 100 Years, will be fitted with the new 8-cylinder engine. It combines the latest version of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with the V8’s 4.4-liter engine, which can deliver a maximum power output of 330kW/450hp and maximum torque of 650 Nm.
Acceleration is 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds with an average fuel consumption of 8.3 liters per 100 kilometers and CO2 emission of 192 grams per kilometer.
There are two other engine variants, which will be featured in the BMW 7 Series centennial models, that would be launched during the BMW Group’s anniversary year.
The 12-cylinder power unit found on the BMW Individual M760Li xDrive Model V12 Excellence is a 6.6-liter engine with the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers a maximum output of 448kW/610hp. It also enables the M760Li to go from 0 to 100 km in 3.7 seconds.
Check Out the Spy Shots Of 2017 Volkswagen 3-Row SUV
Two years ago, Volkswagen confirmed that it has plans to build a new three-row crossover SUV at its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Now, merely months after the production started, spy shots of the prototype have come out.
According to a report, the new Volkswagen 3-Row SUV was first seen in early 2013 by the CrossBlue concept. No one knew if the concept would be carried over to the actual production design, but the spy shots now confirmed that the production version will resemble the 2013 concept. Of course, we couldn’t see it in its entirety so the finer elements are still a mystery.
This new SUV is Volkswagen’s challenge to the ever popular and family-oriented three-row SUVs such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Motor Company Explorer and Toyota Highlander.
It will be based on the stretched version of VW’s flexible MQB platform, enabling the SUV to be offered at a lower cost. That platform was the same one used in the smaller Golf and the North American-spec Passat currently being produced at the Chattanooga plant.
Those who seek for a plusher ride can wait for the new generation Touareg that’ll come out next year.
There is no information yet on what drivetrain would be used on the SUV, although it is expected to come out with a 4- and 6-cylinder option. The CrossBlue concept had a hybrid powertrain that pairs the 4-cylinder diesel engine with an electric motor.
But since there are current issues on VW’s use of diesel engine, then perhaps a gasoline-electric hybrid setup will be offered in the production version. Volkswagen’s 2017 3-Row SUV would most likely debut later this year or early next year.
VW also has other SUVs in the pipeline, including the new Tiguan and Touareg, as well as the production versions of the T-Roc and T-Cross Breeze concepts. There would also be coupe-like versions of the Tiguan and this new three-row SUV from VW.
