Daily Archives: January 7, 2017
3 Things We Can Anticipate From The New Audi Q8
Spy photos of the upcoming Audi Q8 being tested in Finland have been revealed. While this is a concept for now (though Audi said it’s the closest to the production unit that will be released), we can safely say that Audi will amaze and intrigue us once more.
We now have a pretty good idea of what the automaker will unveil at the Detroit Auto Show next week. The vehicle’s aggressive stance, flat roof line, and striking grille are all welcome developments from the existing Audi Q8.
Check out our expectations from the car below:
Exterior
The Q8 has a flat roof line, which made many enthusiasts wary that the interior space may be sacrificed. Audi assures that it will not, and the car can seat four people comfortably. Outside, the Q8 features an octagonal single-frame grille that is wider than the one found on the Audi’s current production models. You may even remember the 1980s Ur-quattro on the design elements used on this next-generation Q8.
The vehicle also features a flat but wide C-pillar, a prominently-displayed flared shoulders, and new sets of headlights and taillights.
Rivals
The Q8’s coupe-like stance but sporty aesthetics will most likely raise the eyebrows of many models in the same segment. That being said, Audi is looking to compete with the likes of BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Similar to the Q7, the Q8 is using the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, which was designed specifically for the chassis of front-wheel-drive vehicles with engines mounted on a longitude position.
Powertrains
The base model for the United States should be the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that can produce 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This is believed to be paired with an 8-speed auto transmission and all-wheel drive system.
There will also be an e-plug hybrid that will likely be paired with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with an electric motor. The two will combine to produce 367 horsepower and 516 lb. ft. of torque.
3 Things To Watch Out For In The 2017 Kia Picanto
It was supposed to be introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, but months ahead of the scheduled launch, the South Korean automaker released the official photos of its 2017 Kia Picanto. The design of the all-new Picanto came from the ingenious minds of the teams in Namyang, South Korea and Frankfurt, Germany.
Such collaboration between the two teams made the 2017 Kia Picanto pleasing for the European market. Here are the top three features of the car based on our source:
1. Exterior
Much of the exterior and interior look better than its predecessor. We cannot be sure, however, if this will hold true for the lower-trim models. Kia just released photos of its top-of-the-line GT Line trim. Its sporty aesthetics conveys an assertive stance because of its well-sculpted features.
The dimensions are the same with the current model, though it’s getting a 15-millimeter longer wheelbase (0.59 inches). The assertive and dynamic styling was largely thanks to the positioning of the wheels in the corner.
2. Interior
The interior spacing has been updated, which is a mystery since the exterior dimensions stayed the same. But according to reports, the interior space of the 2017 Kia Picanto was a big surprise, and can rival the very best in the segment.
Aside from that, you’ll be surprised with what you see—from the dashboard to the in-car technology. The new dashboard has a tablet-style screen for the infotainment system, a digital display between the two instrument cluster dials, and the latest in-car technology that all passengers can enjoy. That means, the Apple CarPlay and the Android Auto, of course.
3. Powertrain
Kia has yet to release details about the new Picanto’s powertrains. But what we surely can expect are these: 1.0-liter turbocharged, three-cylinder engines that produces 100 horsepower while the other one churns out a pretty impressive 120 horsepower.
Pricing for the 2017 Kia Picanto is not available yet, but more details shall come as the Geneva Motor Show comes closer to launch.
3 Things To Know About The Mid-Cycle Refresh For The 2018 Ford F-150
The 2017 Detroit Auto Show is just around the corner, which means we’ll get to see a slew of new cars and updates on our favorite trucks and sedans. The Ford F-150 is expected to receive a mid-cycle refresh for the 2018 model year. We don’t have much information about it, but the upcoming auto show seems to be the perfect place for a launch.
Front Exterior
Recent spy shots of the Ford F-150 showed a new two-bar grille that remind us of the grille on the 2017 F-Series Super Duty. Don’t get us wrong, you will not be confused between these two. In fact, they are similar but barely interchangeable. What is clear is that the one on the Super Duty is more square-ish than what were snapped on the new F-150. They are also more evenly spaced, but the resemblance is still there.
The headlights have the same general bracket shape, though these have been redesigned to conform with the two grille bars.
Back Exterior
The changes on the 2018 F-150 are less obvious at the back. Compared to the current F-150, the tailgate looks smoother on this one. If you have the current production F-150, you can check out the creases there. Those are gone on this redesigned model. The handles have also been redesigned completely. The spy shots did not show the bumper and the taillights because they are covered.
From our experience, that means that there are changes on these parts. After all, Ford wouldn’t take the time to cover these up if they are just going to retain their designs from the current F-150.
Hybrid Version
There are reports that a hybrid version is available for this light pickup come 2018. There are definitely plans to do that, but whether or not they are already working on it remains to be seen. There are also rumors that the truck will have a diesel engine option.