Daily Archives: May 10, 2018
Nissan Kicks Starts At Just Under $19,000
Nissan announced that its tiny subcompact SUV, the Kicks, will just sell for $18,965, making it the cheapest option in its segment save for the crowd favorite Kia Soul. The Nissan Kicks doesn’t seem to be a lot fun as its predecessor, the Juke, but the low price tag might be equally appealing for some.
The Kicks will only be powered with 125 horsepower, as opposed to the 188-horsepower turbo-four that the Soul is fitted with. And compared to the price, the Kicks is cheap, too, though not as affordable as Soul’s $17,095 price tag (or $18,695 with its optional automatic transmission.
The Kicks will only get three trim levels—the S, the SV, and the SR trim levels. It will also only come in front-wheel drive and continuously variable automatic transmission. The entry-level mode, the S, isn’t equipped with anything special with its 16-inch wheels, hubcaps, and lack of proximity-key entry. It will, however, come standard with automated emergency braking, Bluetooth, and a backup camera, which is a requirement for all new cars.
The SV is priced at $20,665 while the SR is coming at $21,265. Nissan hasn’t revealed yet what equipment these two trim levels will come in. Based on reports, optional equipment will most likely include blind-spot monitoring, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Bose audio system as part of the SR Premium package. There is no word yet, too, if the upper trim levels will receive engine upgrades.
But if you’re going to shell out more than $21,000 for Kicks’ SR trim level, it better have more than just the usual tech found inside same-priced vehicles.
The other trim levels might also have more options when it comes to color schemes. There might be two or more color schemes to choose from that will have either a black or white roof.
There will be more details in the coming weeks, ahead of the Nissan Kicks’ sale in June.
Mini Cooper Royal Wedding Edition To Be Auctioned Off For Charity
What wedding present can you give a couple who has everything? As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is set to tie the know on May 19, Mini has come up with a Mini Cooper Royal Wedding Edition that it will gift to the couple. But unlike other gifts which the couple will keep, this one will be gifted for charity.
The car will be given to the chosen charity of the couple that will then auction it. The full proceeds will go to the chosen charity. It has been reported that the Prince and Markle chose The Children’s HIV Association or CHIVA as the charity where the proceeds of the car sale will go to. HIV is an issue close to the heart of Princess Diane, Prince Harry’s late mother.
Mini’s design team customized and personalized the Mini Cooper 2-Door with a handmade roof graphic and a special edition interior. The designs are 3D printed and also feature special embroidery. The multi-layer roof graphic has been applied by hand and it’s a combination of the Union Jack and the Stars & Stripes, symbolizing the couple’s nationalities.
The opened doors will project a “Just Married” sign onto the ground as a special touch. All the small details around the car are bespoke—from the chrome finish to the side scuttles. Outside, the car is wrapped in Crystal White paint. Inside, it has a Satellite Grey leather with a trim strip announcing the first names of the bride and groom, as well as the wedding date. To match the roof’s graphics, there are complementary accents in the door cards.
If you want the Mini Cooper Royal Wedding Edition (not the official name) but can’t join the auction, you can have some of the custom work replicated through the Mini Yours personalization program. That even includes the 3D-printed parts as option.
4 Things To Know About The 2018 Renault Megane RS
Renault is bringing a sportier and more powerful version of the Megane to 2018. Called the Renault Megane RS, it will have a wide stance, unique body lines, aggressive front end, and a motorsport-inspired, functional rear diffuser.
Exterior
The RS model is wider than the standard model with the rear haunches up by 45 mm (1.77 inches) and the front extended by 60 mm (2.36 inches). The front has an all-new fascia and the large air intakes are more menacing and aggressive than ever. The new grille also adds a sportiness to the whole look.
The rear end is very interesting, with a micro look on the fascia and a functional diffuser in the middle. There are new fog lights, too, and you can choose from 18- or 19-inch wheels. There are eight exterior colors to choose from—Glacier White, Arctic White, Mercury, Diamond Black, Titanium Grey, Flame Red, Volcanic Orange, and Liquid Yellow.
Interior
The interior is all sports car with its RS-specific goods. The red trim is thrown around the car and the RS badge on the bottom of the steering wheel is a nice sporty touch. There are red accents, too, in the hear shifter, the instrument cluster, and the infotainment system. All over, the interior is wrapped in charcoal gray with red top stitching and to round off the sporty feel of the interior, there are aluminum pedals, too.
The sports seats offer plenty of support, which included integrated headrests. The R-Link 2 comes as standard equipment and this features an 8.7-inch display that’s vertically oriented.
Performance
The Renault Megane RS is powered by a 1.8-liter four-pot engine that produces 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 287 pound-feet of torque. For this kind of power, Renault has to do over the air intake, the exhaust system, and the cylinder head, which received attention from the Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing department.
The Megane RS can reach 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds. It also comes with the Multi-Sense, which offers several driving modes—Comfort, normal mode, sport mode, race mode, and Perso mode.
The Renault Megane RS is priced at $37,271, and competes directly with the Volkswagen Golf R and the Honda Civic Type R.
