Monthly Archives: October 2016
Sport Package for Chevrolet Malibu Announced for 2017 Model
The Chevrolet Malibu boasts a decent design, good crash test ratings, high reliability, average comfort features, and satisfying performance. Those are reasons why it has garnered above average reviews. Recently, the Sport Package for the 2017 model of the car was announced.
According to source, the new Sport Package only offers aesthetic updates to the LT trim of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu. Inside, the steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather. Outside, the Chevy Malibu receives a new rear spoiler and 18-inch 10-spoke wheels.
The Sport Package costs $875. Despite the subtle upgrade, the package will surely bring in a sporty appearance to the midsize car.
It should be noted that the Chevrolet Malibu already ditched its two sub-trim configuration. Instead, the range streamlined them into the LT trim.
The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu LT carries a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The output of the power unit is 160 hp. All that is distributed via a six-speed automatic transmission gearbox. The Malibu L and the LS also share the same spec.
Buyers who want more power from their car can opt for the Malibu hybrid with 182 hp or the Malibu Premier with 250 hp packed in its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. From the eight-speed automatic gearbox of the Malibu Premier, the new Premier model upgrades it to the nine-speed unit.
The other standard updates in the Chevy Malibu LS and LT lineup include the integration of the Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto into the car’s seven-inch touchscreen display. Another inclusion is the Teen Driver system of GM. The system lets parents monitor the driving habits of their teens.
The starting price of the Chevrolet Malibu is $22,555. That is for the L trim. The Premier trim is tagged at $31,850 while the LS and the LT are each worth $105 more than their predecessors.
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.
Spy Shots Of 2018 Dodge Challenger ADR Leaked
Dodge will create a wide-body SRT Hellcat based on these spy shots of a 2018 Dodge Challenger ADR. Positioned above the SRT Hellcat, this new range-topping Challenger has recently been spotted testing on Michigan roads ahead of a likely 2017 market launch, making it an entry for the 2018 model year.
The prototypes sighted are wearing standard body panels but the protruding rubber can still be clearly seen. There is simply no mistaking that this new Challenger is going to have a wide and sexy body.
The photos weren’t properly zoomed in because the poor weather hinders so, but the tires are definitely wider than the tiny 275/40-size set currently on the SRT Hellcat.
There were previous rumors that the 315s would be fitted on this model, but that’s a conservative estimate judging by these spy shots. In the industry, the car with the biggest rubber is the Dodge Viper, which is fitted with the massive 355/30-size tires at the rear.
Dodge hinted of a wide-body Challenger back when it first introduced the Challenger GT AWD concept at the 2015 SEMA show. The concept consists of an all-wheel drive system from the Dodge Charger though there’s only a 5.7-liter V-8 similar to the Fiat Chrysler.
Speculations have been pointing out that there will be two wide-body options for the Challenger, though it is also possible that more will come. The first two options might be an all-wheel drive car with an entry-level 3.6-liter V-6 and a high-performance car with the Hellcat supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 and rear-wheel drive.
The high-performance car is the new model, expected to be called the Challenger ADR (American Drag Racer). It is a rear-wheel drive with extra rubber to help put the Hellcat’s hellish power. The current model can produce 707 horsepower, though that can easily be bumped up.
This model is expected to be the final hurrah for the current Challenger before a redesigned model is introduced.
Lexus UX Concept Is A Glimpse of a New Luxury Compact Crossover
The Lexus UX Concept just made its world debut at the Paris Auto Show last week, and to say it made quite a bit of a splash is an understatement. Showcasing Lexus’ vision for a compact crossover in the future, the concept defines a new vision for the company’s design journey and driving experience.
What the UX Concept showed is that Lexus is determined to separate itself from the rest. The models using this concept will have a bold, standalone and unique character coupled with a powerful design and deconstructed interior styling.
During its introduction at the Paris Auto Show, experts raved about the concept’s sharp creases, trademark grilles, piercing headlights and flared side intakes. One can see bits of Lexus NX SUV in the concept, though the innovation was heavily exaggerated on the UX Concept. For one, it has massive wheels, ones we would not see on a production vehicle anytime soon. But this completes the muscular and sexy look of the concept.
There are some pretty interesting parts to the exterior design, but none as compelling as the wild taillight setup at the rear. The clearance between the lens on the rear hatch and the stationary units on the rear quarters is almost nonexistent that the taillight looks like one wide light.
What’s even more unique is the see-through A pillar that “blurs” the boundaries between the exterior and the interior.
Inside, there’s a “deconstructed” look as demonstrated by the sharp and angular forms that overlap each other to replace the conventional dashboard. These overlaps create shadows and contrasts, making it difficult for anyone to identify where they begin or end. The passenger seat was also not prioritized to emphasize that it is the driver that has control of the environment.
The seats, by the way, are inspired by the Lexus Kinetic Seat Concept, which also premiered in the show.
A Look at the Spy Shots of the 2018 Ford Mustang
Photos for the prototype for the facelifted Ford Motor Company Mustang have just been revealed. Since this is a facelift, the visible tweaks were expected to be only minimal. Still, Ford engineers went to great lengths to try to conceal whatever changes they did on the Mustang.
Based on the photos released, tweaks in the 2018 Ford Mustang are expected on the headlights. And although the shape of the enclosure won’t be changing, the internal graphics will likely be updated along with the headlamps. As for the front bumpers, expect a totally revised look, the most dramatic change being an all-new design for the lower section of the bumper. The said design will take on an “A-wing” shape for the front splitter.
As for the car’s performance, fans might be interested to know there will be some mechanical changes such as a new 10-speed automatic, which will appear on high-end models, developed by Ford and General Motors Company. The current 6-speed and automatic will be maintained for lower-spec cars.
The 10-speed automatic has already been used for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which apparently experienced quicker shifting than Porsche’s dual-clutch transmission. A 6-speed manual, though, will remain standard on most Mustang models.
The current lineup of engines will most probably remain, except for some adjustments to improve power and gas mileage. The Mustang V-6 enjoys a production of 300 horsepower while the Mustang EcoBoost has 310 horsepower. The Mustang GT can cough up a stunning 435 horsepower while the Shelby GT350 and GT350R models produce 526 horsepower.
We’re expecting this Ford Mustang model to arrive in 2017 as a 2018 model after the sixth-generation Mustang made its final appearance in 2014 as a 2015 model. A new Mustang Shelby GT500 will also be arriving in 2018 as a range-topper model.
More updates will come in the next months. The Mustang maintains a strong lead over the Camaro in the past 22 months. In August 2016, Ford sold 8,299 Mustangs while Chevy released 5,604 Camaros.
Spy Shots Of 2018 BMW Z5 Released
Back in 2011, Toyota and BMW planned to jointly develop a mid-size sports car platform to replace their Z4 and Supra models, respectively. It looks like the day has finally come for us to see the completion of such platform.
New spy shots of a prototype for BMW have been released. We’re expecting these shots to be soon called as the Z5. Instead of being a next-generation Z4, adopting a new name links this car to BMW’s 507, which is a legend in the industry. And it being a notch higher than the Z4 means the German automaker can charge more for it.
The higher positioning can be backed up by the larger size of the prototype as compared to the Z4. And although the shots have almost similar to identical proportions to the Z4, what’s most noticeable is that this is going to be a soft-top convertible rather than a retractable hard-top. Based on one of the shots, we can also gleam that there is going to be a new grille design.
Another thing that should justify the higher positioning of what seems to be the new Z5 is the improved performance. This new car will be competing against the likes of the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche 911. The base model will most likely have an inline-4 though the inline-6 as an option is a popular suggestion too. Turbocharging might be standard for all variants of the Z5.
You may be wondering if the hybrid tech will be used on the Z5. This is highly unlikely because BMW certainly wants to differentiate their Z5 from Toyota’s Supra successor, which might go down the route of gasoline-electric.
This new BMW sports car, whether or not it will be called the Z5, will debut either in late 2017 or early 2018. Though there have been no word yet on pricing details, this will likely go as high as $50,000 for a starting price.
Six-speed Manual Transmission Joins The 2017 Honda Civic Lineup
Starting October 4, the Honda Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe can compete as America’s best-selling compact car nameplate once more because of the expanded application of manual transmission for the 2017 model year.
Honda is now offering its customers more options with the 6-speed manual transmission as standard equipment on the turbocharged Civic Sedan and Coupe in EX-T trims. The decision was built upon the “fun-to-drive character of the 10th generation Civic lineup,” a Honda press release said.
The 2017 Honda Civic has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $18,740 for the Sedan and $19,150 for the Coupe.
For the 2017 model year, the Civic Sedan and Coupe EX-T will have the following features: the sporty six-speed manual transmission, a 1.5-liter direct-injected and turbocharged DOHC engine, CVT optional on turbocharged EX-T trims and standard on EX-L and Touring, HD Radio and XM Satellite Radio on Civic EX Sedans.
The Sedan and Coupe EX-T can produce 174 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque, 5 lb-ft up from models equipped with the CVT.
For the exterior design, the 2017 Civic will be 2 inches wider and 1 inch lower with a 1.2-inch longer wheelbase. This allows the Civic to feature a more compact and sporty front overhang, a longer and sculpted hood, and a fastback-style tail. Thanks to a new LED exterior lighting, the 10th generation Civic looks considerably more premium than current model.
Inside, the Civic carries through an exciting and more sophisticated look with its premium, soft-touch cab materials that exceeded current class standard. It also packs a dual-zone automatic climate control for the EX-T and above trims while coming standard are the Display Audio touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
For safety and driver assistance features, the 2017 Civic takes pride in its Honda Sensing technologies, the next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure, and its achievement of the highest available NHTSA safety ratings.
BMW i5 Sketches Surface Online
For a long time now, there have been rumors that BMW is working on a new model, which will be called the i5. Now, we might be seeing alleged patent drawings of that said model. These drawings were discovered by Autoguide, and have reportedly been filed by the German automaker with a patent office in Japan in April this year.
Since 2012, many have speculated that the German company would eventually plug the gap between the i3 and the i8 to finally complete its eco-focused i sub-brand. The rumors have covered everything from a supposedly stretched i3 to an SUV to an electronic vehicle that would rival the Tesla Model S luxury sedan.
BMW has remained mum about what it plans for the i5, only telling that its main focus is to make the new model as family-oriented as possible, further fueling rumors that it wasn’t going to be a luxury sedan, but an SUV or station wagon-type of vehicle.
If these patent drawings are accurate, it must mean that BMW’s design team has been taking cues from the Prius. The patent drawings showed what was originally a questionable looks of the i sub-brand coupled with the form factor of an elongated hatch. Experts are so-so on the looks, with some verging on judging the “i5” as not pretty. In terms of space, the i5 doesn’t look practical at all, no thanks to the sloping roof at the rear of the car.
Expectations that the next i car would be an electric vehicle are going down the drain. It’s not going to be full-electric, and there’s no reason to believe there is going to be an extended-range electric model. It will, however, likely be a plug-in hybrid like the i8.
BMW has earlier said its next standalone electric car won’t be arriving until 2021. But before that, the German automaker is set to launch electric versions of regular models such as the X3 and some Minis.
Spy Shots Of The 2018 Audi S8 Leaked
We last saw a mild facelift for the Audi S8 in 2014 after two generational changes that happened, the last one being in 2012. But even with such adjustments in terms of looks and feel, the S8 always looked a bit outdated.
But now, we are finally seeing what could be the 2018 Audi S8. Testing is being done on Nürburgring, and it will follow through Audi’s latest design language.
Based on the spy shots, the S8 will have a shorter nose because of Audi’s new grille design, which will be wider compared to the older models. While it still has that hexagonal shape, the edges in the upper corner are longer than before and the lower corners remained rounded in shape. Some changes have also been made on the hood and new headlight units, which contribute to the shaping of the nose.
On the sides, there is not much to talk about, except for the upper body line. Previously, the line goes from the corner of the headlight back to the rear, between the belt line and door handles. But now, the line was moved down a bit and runs inline with the door handles. The side view mirrors were also modified in such a way that the upper edged transitioned into the lower outside corner.
There are no concrete shots yet for the car’s interior, but it’s easy to calculate what kind of design prototype is going to be used. Just look at the insides of the 2017 A5 and S5, and you’ll have a pretty good idea how the S8 will look like, interior speaking.
The new S8 is being rumored to use the 2.9-liter engine that is now being shared between Porsche and Audi. This same engine was used in the Porsche Panamera, which can produce 440 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.
Pricing for the S8 is still hazy, though we can expect it to charge $108,678.
