Daily Archives: September 11, 2018
2019 Hyundai Elantra Selling For $17,985
Korean automaker Hyundai just released its pricing for the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, which made its global debut in Utah last month. The new car’s base model, the SE trim, will have a starting price tag of $17,985, a mere $150 more than last year’s model.
The Elantra SEL trim, which sits above the base model, now includes a suite of SmartSense safety and convenience technologies. This will come standard from the SEL trim and up. The tech suite includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning.
But that additional tech means a small surge on the prices, too, though still not much to get your eyes out of your socket. The 2019 SEL trim will start at $20,285, up $550 from last year. The livelier Sport model will set you back $23,285 for a six-speed manual version or $24,385 for one with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The prices show an increase of around $600 across the range. The Value trim level returns again for the 2019 model year. This time, it will sell for $21,285 or $550 more than the current generation’s price. The Eco trim’s base price is now $21,835 and the top-of-the-line Limited gets a $23,485 price tag, up by $500 from last year.
The increase in prices is due to the fact that the 2019 Elantra compact sedan is getting some cool new features such as a new hood, front fenders, and a new set of headlights that emphasize a redesigned grille. At the back, there’s a new rear fascia and taillights that is angled towards the new trunk lid.
A refined exterior and interior space are the focus of the 2019 edition of the compact sedan. Hyundai particularly wants the Elantra to maintain its design character but have a set of new desirable features that come with an affordable price tag.
Since it was launched in 1991, Hyundai has sold more than three million Elantras. The sedan, now on its sixth generation, is available in six trim levels—SE, SEL, Value Edition, Limited, Eco, and Sport.
Depending on the trim level, there will be three engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, a 1.4-liter turbo-four with 128 horsepower, and a 1.6-liter turbo with an estimated 201 horsepower.
All models below the Sport trim will get a six-speed automatic transmission, except for the Eco trim which will be paired with a seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch. If you want the feel of a manual transmission, you can opt for the Sport model or the six-speed manual option available for the SE trim.
3 Things You Should Know About The 2019 Renault Arkana
French car manufacturer Renault revealed an all-new coupe SUV called the Arkana at the Moscow Auto Show. This is the first coupe-inspired SUV to sit at a lower price point compared to its more premium competitors.
For now, it is just a concept, but one that is really close to production. Once released, it will first be marketed to Russia before going to other Western countries under a different name. The United States won’t get it, though, since we don’t have Renault here but we expect to see Nissan release a similar architecture to the Arkana.
1. Exterior
The latest technology and ideology from Renault designed the Arkana based on the Talisman and the Megane. There will be many bits and pieces of the front and rear end of the Arkana that would be taken from the two cars. If you look at it closely, it would resemble in many ways an updated Renault Megane Grand Coupe. There’s also redesigned C-shaped lights.
The one obvious thing that made this a coupe crossover is the coupe roofline. While many automakers try to hide the coupe nature of their coupe-inspired SUVs, Renault went the other way and made this with a high waistline, massive clearance, and 19-inch wheels.
Based on its dimensions, the Arkana is going to compete with the Nissan Rogue or the Honda CR-V.
2. Interior
Renault refused to give photos of its interior, but it’s safe to say that it would be close to the high-speccedMegane or Talisman. The dashboard will be dominated by a massive central portrait screen while the instrument cluster will be partially digital.
It brings a sense of comfort for the Arkana to have a Megane interior because it will at least bring a dash of elegance and sophistication.
3. Drivetrain
Remember that this is going to be a cheap crossover, so it will probably carry the engine from the Renault Kadjar. That being said, the Arkana will come equipped with a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine and an option for a 1.6-liter diesel engine. These machines should be paired with a possible 4WD.
2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance Gets Enhanced Drivetrain Options
It’s not exactly the easiest name to remember. Thankfully, Twitter stretched its character limit, so we can now tweet about the new 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance. We haven’t even managed to get our hands on the BMW X5, but we’re already dealing with a performance version of the car that would depend on a host of electric powertrains.
The new plug-in X5 is going to replace the X5 xDrive40e and would be different in every single thing that matters. This new car is going to leave behind its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for a 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 286 horsepower. This engine will be paired with a 112-horsepower electric motor for a total output of 394 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. BMW’s all-wheel-drive system should be connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It can accelerate to 60 mph from a complete stop in just 5.6 seconds. The top speed was bumped to 146 mph.
The 2020 BMW X5 xDrive45e iPerformance is going to answer another problem that the current X5 xDrive40e is having. Today’s X5 xDrive40e can only go 14 miles from a full charge, but this new car is going to bump that number to an estimated 50 miles. Some people could even go their entire trip in electric mode. When in this mode, top speed would be 87 mph from the previous 74 mph.
Since this is an iPerformance trim, BMW placed the lithium-ion batteries under the body of the vehicle. This resulted in better handling because the center of gravity was lower compared to other X5 models. There’s one downside, though: the X5 xDrive45e iPerformance is going to lose about five cubic feet of storage space because of the battery pack.
Europe will get this car in 2019. The United States would have to wait, though. Pricing isn’t available for now but as a reference, the base 2019 X5 begins at $61,695 while the top-of-the-line is $76,745.
3 Things To Know About The All-New Mercedes-Benz GLE
German company Mercedes-Benz came up with a sketch and short video clip showing the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLE sport utility vehicle’s redesigned front fascia and exciting new set of LED headlights. As if the GLE has not been talked about a lot lately, now the sketch and teaser video turned people’s enthusiasm to a near obsession.
Exterior and New Platform
The new-generation Mercedes-Benz GLE will be based on the MHA RWD platform. The silhouette of the car might remain the same, but the styling on the new GLE is bolder and definitely more futuristic. It is longer, too, at 3.1 inches (80 millimeters). Spy shots revealed a prominent new grille, sweptback LED headlamps, and wraparound taillights. The new model is less boxy, too, and has sharper-looking bumpers, larger alloy wheels, and the familiar twin exhausts.
Powertrains
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE will most likely use the 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine on the GLE 63 which will be available in two flavors—one that makes 563 horsepower and another one that produces a whopping 604 horsepower. We also believe that the German carmaker will introduce an entry-level GLE 53 AMG to the SUV’s lineup. This will use a 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine.
For the standard versions, Mercedes will use a number of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines for the 2019 GLE. These engines will be paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. There might also be a 48-volt plug-in hybrid version that’s going to be paired with the six-cylinder versions.
Interior
Spy shots revealed an interesting take on the interior, especially because of the new technology that Mercedes has been working on. In terms of in-car tech, Mercedes is doing a complete revamp. It will now come with twin 10.25-inch display units for the instrumental console. The center console, on the other hand, will run the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface. The new SUV will also arrive with a three-spoke steering wheel, grab handles integrated into the central tunnel and powered seat adjustments for the rear passengers.