Daily Archives: July 19, 2017
4 Things To Expect From The 2019 Audi e-tron Quattro
During the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, we have seen a concept form of what would be Audi e-tron Quattro. These spy shots are to be considered a treat after more than a year of waiting for any glimpse of the e-tron Quattro prototype. This all-electric production car will compete directly with the Tesla Model 3, a celebrated electric vehicle currently making waves in the US’ electric car market.
1. Exterior
When it comes to its appearance, the 2019 Audi e-tron Quattro did not deviate much from the concept form. Don’t get us wrong, the actual prototype looked better, thanks to a chiseled front grille that has a cleaner facade and a front and rear with “futuristic” LED lights. The sizing and proportions remain true to a crossover segment and thus confirm the same size we saw on the concept.
The roof is designed to be similar to a coupe, but that’s where it stops because Audi is planning to release a Sportback a year after the launch of this car.
2. Interior
Reports are pointing out that the cabin of the e-tron Quattro will be very similar to the new A8. That means we can expect horizontal lines, a futuristic ambiance, and multiple touchscreens. Since the new A8 promised to use autonomous-driving technologies, the e-tron Quattro should follow its lead and further expand on this self-driving technology.
3. Powertrains
The first versions of the e-tron Quattro will use one electric motor in the front and two in the rear. It would have an output of 429 horsepower. There is no word yet on the range of the e-tron Quattro but based on the concept, it should be able to reach 310 miles on one cycle. In the months following the release, there should be an option for an entry-level model with one motor at the front and one at the rear, as well as a more powerful version.
4. Pricing and release date
The e-tron Quattro should sell around $80,000. Unlike previous reports, it won’t be called the Q6 and would also be launched sometime next year with a US market release in late 2018.
Exploring The 4 Trim Levels Of The 2018 Honda Fit
The refreshed 2018 Honda Fit is on sale. With the official production release comes the usual updates, including an updated color palette and safety tech across all trim levels. The base model starts at $17,065, just $100 more than last year’s Honda Fit.
The powertrain will remain unchanged, however, as the new Honda Fit will still pack the same 1.5-liter inline-four engine that can produce 130 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. Other notable updates are the addition of two new exterior colors: Orange Fury and Helios Yellow (which will replace the Mystic Yellow). Also available are shades of white, black, gray, red, and blue. Unfortunately, purple won’t be available for this update.
1. Base LX Model
The tech coming along with the base model are 5-inch color LCD screen, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a six-speed manual transmission, versatile 60/20 split second row Magic seats, and cruise control. You can substitute for a CVT, but that would cost an additional $800. Adding the Honda Sensing will drive the price up to $18,865.
2. Sport Trim Model
For that sportier look, the Sport trim model adds the bright orange pin stripes on the exterior body, along with gloss black 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, side sill garnishes, chrome exhaust-pipe finisher, and an aggressive aero-form front spoiler and rear diffuser. The interior will be an all-black standout with orange contrast stitching. There’s also a 7-inch touchscreen display. Prices will start at $18,375 for the six-speed manual and $19,175 for the CVT. The Honda Sensing will put an extra $1,000 on top of the CVT model.
3. EX Trim Model
Aside from the usual upgrades, this trim level will also receive SiriusXM radio capability, sliding sunvisors, and push-button start. The Honda Sensing is standard on this level. It will add adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, road departure warning, and lane keeping assist. Prices start at $19,035 for the manual and $19,835 for the CVT.
4. EX-L Trim Level
The top-of-the-line Honda Fit will bring all the luxury: leather-trimmed seats and heated front seats on top of all the latest upgrades from all trim levels. Prices will start at $21,395 with the Navi package bringing that up to $22,395.
4 Things To Remember About The 2018 BMW 6-Series
Did you know that the BMW 6-Series originally started out as a sporty coupe? The current generation includes a sedan called the Gran Coupe. For the 2018 model lineup, BMW is adding more and taking away some of those unloved cars under the 6-Series.
According to a report, the 2018 model-year will see BMW moving away from the coupe body style to introduce a five-door liftback called the 6-Series Gran Turismo. This is the replacement for the 5-Series Gran Turismo, which even BMW lovers are not a fan of. BMW hopes that the more premium aesthetics and feel of the liftback will attract enthusiasts back.
1. BMW 6-Series Wide Range of Vehicles
BMW’s 6-Series now has a “complete” range of vehicles: a convertible, a sedan, and a liftback. The convertible and sedan, which are both based on previous-generation design, will soon be phased out while the liftback is based on the German automaker’s latest platform.
2. Convertible and Coupe to be Phased Out
The 6-Series convertible and coupe will be replaced for the 2018 model year by the new 8-Series models. BMW hasn’t revealed yet if there are plans to make an 8-Series Gran Coupe, but both China and the United States are big fans of sedans, so that maybe bound to happen.
3. 2018 6-Series in Powertrains
The 6-Series GT is being offered exclusively in 640i xDrive guise for the 2018 model year. The trim will come packing a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that produces 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It also arrives with the standard 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system.
There would likely be more powertrain options once the launch was done, including a 630i option and the more powerful M650i option. The latter will most probably pack a 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8 engine that will have an output of 455 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.
4. Tech Goodies in Surplus
Since the 6-Series will be based on the latest platform coming out of BMW’s plant, it’s safe to assume that the series will also receive all the tech goodies from the platform—LED headlights, self-leveling air suspension at the rear axle, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen display, voice activation, numerous electronic driver aids, and gesture control.
3 Possible Things That Could Happen To The Alpine Crossover
The upcoming Alpine crossover will get many styling elements from the A110 model pictured above.
The new Alpine A110 is not for everyone’s taste. It’s a bit too cramped and of course, doesn’t address the crossover segment that seems to be missing in Renault’s lineup. Now, the French automaker’s performance sub-brand is working on an Alpine crossover that will battle the Porsche Macan out of its lofty porch (or so Alpine aims).
According to a source, the new Alpine crossover will most likely arrive in 2019 to up Renault’s sales and revitalize this segment that the French car manufacturer hasn’t dominated just yet. Since Renault has little experience in the production of SUVs and crossover, they will most likely turn to Mercedes and Nissan for the new Alpine SUV’s platform.
1. Powertrain From Standard Renault
Incidentally, Renault has a technical alliance both with the German and Japanese car manufacturers, so that should make it easy enough. Power will be coming from Renault’s 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is capable to push out 300 horses. There could also be a hybridized variant of the Alpine SUV, but there’s no word yet on whether this is in the works already.
2. Styling From Alpine A110
The styling of the incoming Alpine SUV should be based on the Alpine A110 sports car, including the front fascia. Inside, the SUV won’t be as spartan as the coupe, of course, providing maximum comfort and luxury to the owners. It will, however, have an aggressive seat and sporty steering wheel. All over the interior, you’ll find leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber.
3. Not Available in the US
Unfortunately, if you want to own this “replacement” for the Macan, you’d have to be somewhere in Europe, the UK, or Japan because it won’t be brought to the United States. Renault has no plans of bringing the Alpine brand to the US, much to everyone’s chagrin.