Daily Archives: October 16, 2016
2017 Toyota Highlander Will Get Stop-Start Function
2017 Toyota Highlander Limited Platinum edition. (Photo via Autoblog)
The stop-start technology is nothing new in the world of cars and SUVs. However, Toyota hasn’t introduced the feature yet in its North American vehicles. All that is about to change as the 2017 Toyota Highlander will come equipped with that system.
Simply put, the stop-start technology works by shutting off the engine of the vehicle when it is stationary. Brian Williams of Toyota explained that the integration of the function in their vehicles will allow the Highlander to have a fuel efficiency of one mile per gallon. It will also improve the EPA fuel economy of the SUV.
Even after turning off the engine, the stop-start functionally will still feed electric supply to the vehicle for at least two-minutes during a complete halt or when stopped under a traffic light. The engine is configured to be turned on by default every ignition cycle. Customers can choose to manually shut it off though with a push of a button. The auto stop-start operation is overridden too when the air conditioning unit of the auto is at a maximum or on a grade higher than eight degrees.
Williams revealed that more Toyota models will get the stop-start technology after the Highlander. However, he remained mum though about the specific models that will get it. The report claimed that the larger vehicles of the brand will most probably have it because those are the ones that could benefit more from it. The upcoming 2018 Toyota Sienna is a likely recipient of the system.
Williams estimated that around 85 percent of all 2017 Toyota Highlander SUVs will get the stop-start tech. He added eight percent of the Highlanders that will be sold to customers this year will be the LE trim while seven percent will come from the hybrid variants of the range.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro Models Get Lower Prices
Chevrolet announced price cuts on some of its 2017 Camaro models. The move is to keep the momentum of the Chevrolet Camaro going as it is now narrowing its gap with the Ford Mustang in terms of sales.
According to a source, the Camaro units affected by the price slashes are the 1LS base models as well as the convertible trims of the range. The cost of the products have dropped by $400 up to $2,900.
With the cuts, the report noted that the starting price of the Camaro 1LS model has gone down to $26,900 inclusive of destination charges. It is still more expensive than the Mustang V-6’s base price of $25,815. However, the new 1LS is $400 cheaper than it was before the price adjustment was made.
The article added that buyers will get more out of their money’s worth with the new 1LT model. Chevrolet retained all the features introduced in the discontinued 1LT manual trim with the standard 1LS manual-only variant. Despite the removal of the manual 1LT trim in the lineup, the automaker made up for it with its automatic transmission version.
The new 1LT comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission as a standard fit. The eight-speed automatic transmission feature used to be an optional purchase worth $1,495. The revamped Camaro 1LT automatic costs $27,595, which is $1,200 less than its older model.
The 1LT possesses the same engine present with the 1LS and 2LT models. The mentioned units have the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine as a standard and an optional 3.6-liter V6. The SS versions are equipped with the 6.2-liter V8 power unit.
The coupe trim prices remain untouched while the prices of the convertible models have price cuts of up to $2,900. The manual 1LS had the most cut, which currently costs $31,400. The rest like the 1LT automatic convertible and 2LT convertible have their starting prices dropped to $33,595 and $36,600, respectively. The two are now $2,200 and $1,800 lower than their original price tags.
The SS variants take a $1,000 dip too. The 1SS and the 2SS are presently priced at $43,900 and $48,900, respectively.