HYUNDAI IONIQ HYBRID POWERTRAIN DETAILS REVEALED

Automaker reveals the first of three new Ioniq cars.

Hyundai has finally released details on its Prius-fighter, the Ioniq Hybrid. The first of three Ioniq cars to come to market will feature a traditional hybrid powertrain making about 150 hp.

Under the sheetmetal, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid features a 1.6-liter Kappa GDI engine with 104 hp and an electric motor that pumps out 43 hp. This system works alongside a dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai says the car’s lithium-ion battery is positioned low to achieve a low center of gravity and improve cornering. A rear multi-link suspension is said to enhance stability and grip for further handling improvements.

We don’t know fuel economy numbers for the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid powertrain yet, but we do know the car will benefit from lightweight materials. By using aluminum for non-structural body elements like the hood and tailgate, Hyundai was able to shed 30 pounds. High-strength steel is used in areas that need to absorb energy in the event of a crash.

Along with detailing the hybrid’s powertrain, the automaker also released official images of the exterior and interior. On the exterior, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid looks quite similar to the one we spotted last month, with a large rear lip and triangle-shaped taillights. Inside, look for a flat-bottom steering wheel and blue accenting around the touchscreen, air vents, and seat cushions. The center console is laid out in a similar fashion to other new Hyundai models with a touchscreen flanked by air vents and above a set of buttons.After Hyundai introduces the Ioniq Hybrid model, it will bring out plug-in hybrid and electric versions. Expect the Ioniq to head our way at the New York auto show a few months from now.

Source: Hyundai

REPORT: VW MAY BUY BACK SOME DIESEL CARS WITH CHEAT DEVICES

Other cars would need expensive upfits.

Volkswagen may buy back a portion of the 580,000 diesel vehicles affected by emissions irregularities in the U.S., a German newspaper reports.

The automaker expects it will have to issue refunds for customers of around 115,000 cars or offer them a new car at a heavy discount, according to a report from Sueddeutsche Zeitung. Other cars would require laborious and expensive upfits, which would be harder to perform on older VW models compared to newer ones. The process would also take a long time, considering parts of the exhaust would require reconstruction.

Meanwhile, VW faces massive pressure from the U.S. government, which filed a lawsuit against the automaker earlier this week. “So far, recall discussions with the company have not produced an acceptable way forward,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, in a statement regarding the lawsuit. The civil suit may cost the automaker billions of dollars.

And those costs don’t include individual consumers who have sued VW for declining resale values on their vehicles. Some of the plantiff’s lawyers have urged VW to buy back cars affected by the emissions scandal.

Meanwhile, VW already has a plan in place to fix 8.5 million diesel cars in Europe by the end of 2016. The automaker hasn’t detailed a specific plan and timeline for the U.S. market, however.

Source: Sueddeutsche Zeitung via Automotive News

GMC TEASES NEXT-GEN ACADIA AHEAD OF DETROIT DEBUT

2017 GMC Acadia shows off new rear end design

The original GMC Acadia went on sale for the 2007 model year, marking the brand’s first unibody vehicle and crossover. The front-drive-based Acadia debuted with seating for up to eight passengers, a 5,200-pound towing capacity, and a 3.6-liter V-6 that delivered 275 hp. An all-new GMC Acadia will be making its official debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show next week, and now the utility-focused brand has released a teaser image showing off the crossover’s new rear end design.

Not much can be gleaned from the lone blacked-out image, aside from a redesigned taillight design that features a triangular shape that wraps around the elongated chrome strip above the license plate. The next-gen large crossover should retain its three-row interior layout, and if the platform-sharing continues between the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and Acadia, expect the GMC to have the most rugged styling of the three.

The next-gen Acadia can’t come soon enough, seeing as how the current model hasn’t changed much over the years. The model has been given styling updates to keep it competitive, and the V-6 has been tweaked to pump out 281 hp. The Acadia Denali ups that power to 288 hp thanks to a dual exhaust setup.

With more three-row crossovers entering the market, including the upcoming CUV from Volkswagen, a replacement for the Subaru Tribeca, and the recently revealed 2016 Mazda CX-9, the new Acadia will face stiff competition. We’ll have to wait until the Acadia is fully uncovered to see how it might fare. Stay tuned for more on the 2017 GMC Acadia as it debuts later this month, ahead of its rollout this spring.

Source: GMC via Facebook

ASTON MARTIN DEBUTS INFOTAINMENT-FOCUSED RAPIDE S CONCEPT AT CES

Automaker partnered with China's Letv.

The Aston Martin Rapide S boasts 560 hp and a top speed of 203 mph, but that wasn’t the automaker’s focus when it showed off a concept version earlier this week. The model, which was introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show, features a new infotainment setup with the help of Chinese tech giant Letv.

The Rapide S connected sports car concept is the first product to come from a partnership between Aston Martin and Letv. Inside, you’ll find a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 13.3-inch high-definition touchscreen that sort of looks like an iPad floating above the center console. The model also comes with Letv’s latest voice recognition tech and can connect with other Letv devices. Through its onboard Wi-Fi system, the car also supports remote vehicle monitoring and other cloud-based services.

Coincidentally, Letv has also partnered with EV startup Faraday Future on what is likely to be a similar deal for in-car infotainment and data services. Letv — which specializes in a variety of areas including streaming music and video, smartphones, and smart TVs — was founded by Faraday Future’s billionaire CEO Jia Yueting.

Letv equates its new technology to an “Internet brain.” Still, it’s unknown whether Letv’s infotainment services will make it to a production car in the next few years.

Source: Aston Martin

U.S.-SPEC 2017 AUDI A4 PRICED STARTING AT $38,250

Makes North American debut at 2016 Detroit auto show.

Audi has revealed pricing for the U.S.-spec 2017 A4 and will debut the model at the Detroit auto show next week. Compared to the outgoing A4, the 2017 model starts at a higher price point of $38,250 including destination for the base Premium trim, which is $1,425 than the outgoing car. Opting for all-wheel drive adds $2,100 to the car’s base price for a grand total of $40,350. On the range-topping Prestige trim level, the A4 is priced at $46,850 for front-drive models, and $48,950 when equipped with AWD.

The 2017 Audi A4’s price hike reflects the addition of key features including HID headlights, power adjustable heated side mirrors, ambient LED interior lighting, tri-zone climate control, a sunroof, eight-way power front seats with four-way lumbar support, a 7-inch screen for the MMI infotainment system, Audi Pre Sense City automatic emergency braking, keyless entry/start, 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, and a rearview camera.

Optional equipment includes Audi Pre Sense rear, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, Audi connect wi-fi, a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a large 8.3-inch screen for the MMI infotainment system, navigation with Google Map images, Audi’s virtual cockpit, a head-up display, 18- to 19-inch alloy wheels, and full LED headlights.

A revised 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque will be the only engine option available and it will be paired exclusively to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 2017 Audi A4 arrives at dealers this spring, and the range will grow later in the year when Audi adds the more powerful S4 to the lineup.

Source: Audi

CORVETTE ZR1-POWERED DESTINO IS GO, HENRIK FISKER NOW ON BOARD

Two cars will debut at the Detroit auto show.

Henrik Fisker has joined forces with Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villarreal, who have been hoping to use the Fisker Karma as the base for a new V-8-powered sedan. With Fisker now on board, the company formerly known as VL Automotive will go by VLF Automotive, and will debut two new vehicles at next week’s Detroit auto show.

Lutz and Villarreal have been working together since 2012 when they founded VL Automotive. Lutz served as the former vice chairman for General Motors and is widely known as the “father” of the Chevrolet Volt. Villarreal, who is the CEO of the new company, worked for 10 years in the aerospace manufacturing industry and has led a luxury yacht manufacturer.


VLF’s first model, the Destino, was created by Lutz and Villarreal at VL Automotive. With Fisker now on the team, the revitalized company has created an updated version. The model features a Corvette ZR1-sourced LS9 supercharged V-8 engine that delivers 638 hp and 604 lb-ft of torque. According to the automaker, it should hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Prices will start at $229,000, the automaker says.

HYUNDAI ADDS SANTA FE SPORT PRODUCTION TO ALABAMA MANUFACTURING PLANT

Santa Fe production returns to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.

Starting this summer, Hyundai will produce the Santa Fe Sport at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA). Demand for the SUV has driven the need for additional production to supplement current U.S. production efforts.

The Santa Fe was previously produced at the HMMA facility, but production was moved in 2010. With potential shifts in market demand, having another type of vehicle in production at HMMA gives the workers more flexibility to make sure demands for both sedans and SUVs are met.

In preparation for the Santa Fe Sport, the Alabama manufacturing facility will be retooled, with robot programming and other logistical products to help with production. The crossover joins the Sonata and Elantra sedans, and current production targets for the three vehicles will be determined at a later date. However, the HMMA is capable of producing 400,000 units annually.

“We’re thrilled to bring back another pillar of the Hyundai lineup to our production mix here at HMMA,” said Chris Susock, vice president of production, HMMA. “We’ve been extremely proud to build both Sonata and Elantra on our assembly line for Hyundai in the U.S. and we will continue our tradition of quality and productivity with the addition of the Santa Fe Sport in 2016.”

Source: Hyundai

NEWS RENAULT-NISSAN TO LAUNCH 10 VEHICLES WITH AUTONOMOUS FEATURES BY 2020

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Renault-Nissan Alliance moves forward with 'zero emission, zero fatalities' goal.

Over the next four years, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has announced that it plans to launch over 10 vehicles featuring autonomous drive technology. The vehicles will be headed to the United States, Europe, Japan, and China.

“Renault-Nissan Alliance is deeply committed to the twin goals of ‘zero emissions and zero fatalities,’” said Renault-Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn in a statement. “That’s why we are developing autonomous driving and connectivity for mass-market, mainstream vehicles on three continents.”

Back in 2010, Nissan released its first zero-emission vehicle, the LEAF. Since then, safety and efficiency have been the main focus of the Alliance, which has produced a decline in fatal and serious injuries in Nissan vehicles in Japan by 61 percent in 20 years, and decreased those same stats in Renault vehicles in France by 80 percent in 15 years.

For 2016, the Alliance will introduce a number of vehicles that feature “single-lane control,” which lets vehicles drive autonomously on highways and in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. By 2018, Renault-Nissan is expected to launch the “multiple-lane control” system, which will allow the vehicles themselves to negotiate hazards and lane changes on the highway.

However, in 2020, the Alliance will launch “intersection autonomy,” which will let vehicles navigate intersections and urban traffic without the need for driver intervention. The Alliance has also developed a “technology tool kit,” that includes hardware and software applications that product teams from all the Alliance brands can use in their vehicles when appropriate.

Source: Nissan

2017 CHEVROLET BOLT EV STARTS AT $37,500

 Price drops to $30,000 after federal tax credits.


The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt will start at $37,500 when it heads to dealerships during the fourth quarter of this year. After federal tax credits, this price drops to $30,000. Depending on where buyers live, further state credits could apply.

At $37,500, the Bolt is more expensive than the plug-in hybrid Volt, which is priced at $33,995 before federal incentives.

The Bolt will make its official debut next week at the Detroit auto show, where Chevrolet is expected to divulge powertrain information. For now, we know it’s expected to achieve a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge using battery packs from LG Chem. Charging should take 9 hours from a 240-volt charger.

Inside the cabin, the Bolt will offer a standard 10.2-inch center display screen and additional amenities like 4G LTE Wi-Fi and wireless charging for phones. Available safety features will include forward pedestrian, forward collision, side blind zone, and rear cross traffic alerts.

While few electric cars today can match the Bolt’s promised range, it could receive plenty of competition in the future. Tesla aims to bring out a small sedan in the next few years, priced at around $35,000. The next-generation Nissan Leaf is also expected to boost range significantly to more than 200 miles.

Source: Chevrolet

REPLACEMENT FOR JAGUAR XJ ON THE WAY

 In a recent interview with AutoCar, Jaguar design boss Ian Callum confirmed that the brand is now readying the replacement for the XJ full-size luxury sedan. The upcoming flagship sedan should be just as stylish as the current generation Jaguar XJ but it will be more practical than the car it will replace. Asked whether a model will slot below the new XE sports sedan, Callum said that it was being talked about; however, there was “nothing planned for production variant. Additionally, he also ruled out a possible successor to the recently departed Jaguar XK.

Callum also mentioned that Jaguar Land Rover isn’t chasing volume and doesn’t want to be as large as BMW or Audi. Additional body styles of existing models have also been ruled out in favor of adding more model lines. However, Callum also indicated that capacity remains the biggest restraint for Jaguar Land Rover, which could slow down the future expansion of both brands. In addition to the three main factories in the U.K., a fourth one in Slovakia will open in 2018 and bring in some much needed production capacity.

In addition to the Slovakia manufacturing plant, Jaguar Land Rover will also expand its engine assembly plant in Wolverhampton, U.K. This plant currently produces the new Ingenium family of gas and diesel engines. We also reported in early 2015 that an inline-6 and a three-cylinder engine will join the Ingenium range.

Source: AutoCar

2017 MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS TEASED

New headlight design highlighted

Mercedes -Benz 2016 Detroit auto show before its debut at the 2017 E -Class sedan once again kicked up by 2016 . Video images and the vehicle driven by the S-Class interior design highlighting released a video , and footage of vehicle development and testing , the latest E- Class highlights teaser 'exterior.One gives a glimpse your head and come up with 84 independent LED bulbs , which turn the e-Class ' new Multibeam headlights ,

The front view provides a look at the car’s new face, which continues to have a four-eyed look thanks to two LED strips in each headlight that make them appear as two pairs of lights clustered together. Featuring a long hood and a cab rearward design, the E-Class will have a more aggressive front fascia, and a revised radiator grille with a large three-pointed star embedded in it. Additionally, the car’s silhouette is also shown, revealing a family resemblance with the C- and S-Class sedans.

MORE POTENT VERSION OF PAGANI HUAYRA TEASED

Hints at a possible track monste

Just before 2015 came to an end, Pagani posted a photo of a camouflaged Huayra with a fixed rear wing on their official Facebook page with the hashtag #huayrabc, hinting that a more potent variant of the ultra-exclusive supercar is on its way. Based on the lone teaser photo, this could possibly be a hardcore variant of the exotic car that’s been tuned for better performance on the race track. In addition to the fixed rear wing, the only other noticeable difference is the wheels, which are slightly different from the ones used in the current Huayra.

Powering the Pagani Huayra is a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12 sourced from Mercedes-AMG that produces 720 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed automated manual gearbox is the only transmission available. However, it’s currently unknown whether the engine will be massaged for more power in the higher performance model. Whether or not this newest variant of the Huayra will gain extra grunt or not, it will remain one of the rarest and most exclusive vehicles available today. Once the Huayra BC hits the market, it will do battle with exotics like the Lamborghini Aventador SuperVeloce and Ferrari F12 TdF.

Source: Pagani via Facebook

LINCOLN MK9, MERCURY MESSENGER CONCEPTS COMING TO AMELIA ISLAND

Early 2000s concept cars to be on display at Concours D'elegance

Two of Ford Motor Company’s iconic concept cars from the early 2000s will be on display at the Amelia Island Concours D’elegance in March. The 2001 Lincoln MK9 concept and the 2003 Mercury Messenger concept will be on loan from the Bortz Auto Collection.

2001 Lincoln MK9 Concept

First shown at the 2001 New York auto show, the Lincoln MK9 concept was said to preview the premium brand’s future design direction. While its name suggested that the large (121.9-inch wheelbase, 207.1-inch length) personal coupe would be a follow-up to the then discontinued Lincoln Mark VIII coupe, the MK9 concept was never intended for production.

The Lincoln MK9 concept features black paint with chrome accents, large 10-spoke, 22-inch alloy wheels, and two-tone Dark Cherry Red and Marlboro Red leather seats inspired by Eames Lounge Chairs. The interior also features Dark Cherry saddle leather on the floor and a white leather headliner with contrasting polished metal accents.

Based on a stretched Ford DEW architecture (Lincoln LS, Ford Thunderbird) features a V-8 engine, automatic transmission, and four-wheel independent suspension. The concept runs and drives.

2003 Mercury Messenger Concept

Designed as a rear-drive, four-passenger coupe, the Mercury Messenger concept features futuristic and aerodynamic styling and a lightweight hydro-formed aluminum monocoque. Motivation for the concept comes from a set of electric motors, while a computer-controlled active four-wheel independent suspension tackles the handling duties.

If it had gone into production, the Messenger could have been fitted with a gas V-8 engine, a hybrid setup, or have been a full-electric vehicle. The concept features large wheels and high-performance brakes. Some believe a production version of the Messenger concept could have saved the Mercury brand.

Both concepts were designed by Gerry McGovern, who was the head designer of Ford Motor Company at the time.

Source: Bortz Auto Collection