GM Unveils 2015 Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon

General Motors pulled the wraps off of the redesigned 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban as well as the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL yesterday. In a pair of press releases (one from Chevrolet and one from GMC), GM says the new large SUVs offer more refinement, capability and functionality than the models they replace.
The new Yukon, Tahoe, Yukon XL and Suburban are all powered by a 5.3-liter V8 that produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The upmarket GMC Denali variants of the Yukon and Yukon XL are powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces 420 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. These engines are shared with the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks. There are no EPA fuel economy estimates available yet for the SUVs, but GM says the new models will deliver the best V8 fuel economy in the segment.

2015 GMC Yukon XL (General Motors)

The 2015 Tahoe and Yukon are capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds, while the longer-wheelbase Suburban and Yukon XL can tow up to 8,300 pounds. The top LTZ-trim Chevrolet models and GMC Denali models also come standard with GM’s magnetic ride control system, which adjusts various suspension settings to improve ride quality.
All four SUVs receive new body panels and feature a new look. Kicking Tires says the “styling updates are subtle but significant,” and calls the overall appearance “attractive and modern.” GMC and Chevy note that the new models now feature doors that are inlaid with the side body openings, rather than wrapping over top of the body, which they say makes the cabin quieter and improves aerodynamics.
Inside, the new models feature new styling and a host of technology and safety upgrades. Car and Driver seems to like the new cabin, noting that the dashboard “features lots of soft contours, stitched leather and vinyl, and flashes of metallic-looking trim.”

2015 Chevrolet Suburban Cabin (General Motors)

All of the new SUVs feature second- and third-row seats that fold flat. A common complaint among reviewers about the outgoing models was that the third-row seats did not fold flat, but instead had to be removed to maximize interior cargo space.
Convenience features that are available on the new Chevy and GMC SUVs include a power liftgate, eight-inch touchscreen with GM’s MyLink/IntelliLink infotainment system (standard on GMC models), Blu-Ray and DVD rear-seat enterainment system and multiple USB/power ports. Available safety equipment includes forward collision alert, lane change assist and lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. The new models are also available with GM’s Safety Alert Seat, a feature where the driver’s seat vibrates if the vehicle drifts out of its lane or is about to back up and hit something. Models equipped with front bucket seats will also come with a front center air bag, which GM says is exclusive to the segment. The center air bag protects front occupants from colliding with each other in the event of a side impact.
Rivals for the new Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL include the Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. GM says the new SUVs will begin arriving at dealerships in the first quarter of 2014.

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2014 Mercedes-Benz Diesel E250 Rated at 45 MPG Highway

(Mercedes-Benz USA)

Mercedes-Benz is giving some of its competitors a run for their money with the announcement of the new 2014 diesel E-Class’ fuel economy estimates. The EPA says the 2014 E250 Bluetec should get 28/45 mpg city/highway. All-wheel drive 4Matic models will get 27/42 mpg.
The E250 Bluetec’s combined fuel economy estimate of 34 is better than what competing hybrids get, including Mercedes’ own E400 Hybrid, which gets 24/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined. The Infiniti M Hybrid gets 27/32/29 mpg, the Lexus GS Hybrid gets 29/34/31 and the BMW 5-Series Hybrid gets 23/30/26.
The new diesel E250 is also a step up in fuel efficiency from the 2013 diesel E-Class, which gets 22/32 mpg. Left Lane News writes that “the E250 BlueTEC is significantly more efficient than its predecessor, the E350 BlueTEC, despite packing only slightly less underhood muscle.” The 2013 diesel E-Class delivers 210 horsepower using a turbocharged V6, while the 2014 model has a 195-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The 2014 E250 Bluetec has a couple direct rivals, including the 2014 Audi A6 TDI, which gets a lower 24/38 mpg, but also offers a more powerful 240-horsepower turbodiesel six-cylinder engine. The BMW 5-Series will be available as a diesel model for 2014, and is more powerful than both the A6 TDI and E250 Bluetec. The 535d makes 255 horsepower with its turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine and has slightly better fuel economy than the A6 TDI at 26/38 mpg.

(Mercedes-Benz USA)

Car and Driver drove the new E250 Bluetec and said, “The four scoots the E-class around. If it’s not in a hurry, then at least it’s not notably lazy. Widely spaced ratios that prolong the transmission’s stay in each gear help the BlueTec feel quicker than it is. Engine noise is subdued, and clues that it’s a diesel are remarkably few.”
The 2014 E250 Bluetec will start at $51,400, which will make it the least expensive model in the E-Class lineup, while the E250 Bluetec 4Matic will cost $53,900. The new model is expected to hit dealerships this month, according to Edmunds.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is currently our number-one ranked luxury large car, and it was named the U.S. News 2013 Best Luxury Full-Size Car for Families. Do you think the addition of the diesel E250 for 2014 will help the E-Class stay at the top of the pack?

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Redesigned 2014 Nissan Rogue Gains an Optional Third Row

If you’re shopping for an affordable compact SUV with three rows of seats, the Dodge Journey is currently the only option in the class. However, that will change when the redesigned 2014 Nissan Rogue goes on sale in November. “For the first time Rogue offers optional 3-row/7-passenger seating, thanks to its improved interior packaging efficiency,” Nissan writes in a press release. “Among the many interior highlights are the exceptional passenger and cargo flexibility with its innovative EZ Flex™ seating System.”
The 2014 Rogue is slightly taller than the outgoing 2013 model, and it’s also a bit longer than compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. No word yet on how much cargo space the redesigned Rogue offers, but Nissan says that the new EZ Flex seating system allows all passenger seats to fold down, which makes it possible to transport long items like an 8-foot ladder. Kicking Tires writes, “The second row of seats also has a remarkable 9 inches of travel to adjust for third-row passengers' comfort.”

(Nissan)

The 2014 Nissan Rogue will come standard with a four-speaker stereo, a backup camera, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming and a USB port. Available features include dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a nine-speaker Bose stereo system, navigation and satellite radio. A number of safety and driver-assistance features will also be available, including blind spot, lane departure and forward collision warning systems, as well as Nissan’s Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection system, which uses four cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the Rogue.
The redesigned Rogue will come in S, SV and SL trims, all of which are available with front- or all-wheel drive. A 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission are standard on all models. The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy estimates yet, but Nissan expects front-wheel drive models to deliver 26/33 mpg city/highway, or 28 mpg combined, which is quite good for the class.

(Nissan)

After an $860 destination charge, the base front-wheel drive Rogue S will start at $23,350, while the top SL AWD model rings in at $30,280. Nissan also announced some incentives if you want to reserve a 2014 Rogue ahead of time. The automaker is offering a $250 gift card for Rogue buyers or a promotional lease offer of $239 per month for 36 months with $2,599 due at signing. To qualify for either offer, you must sign up by Nov. 12 and take delivery by March 31, 2014.

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Porsche 918 Spyder Sets New Production Car Record

The Porsche 918 Spyder not only had its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, but Porsche announced that the 887-horsepower hybrid car also clocked the fasted time ever for a production car on the famed Nürburgring.

The Porsche 918 Spyder sets a lap-time record at the Nurburgring. (Porsche Cars North America)

In a press release, Porsche says, “The Porsche 918 Spyder has conquered the 12.8-mile (20.6-kilometer) lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleife in less than seven minutes. Achieving a time of six minutes and 57 seconds, the super sports car equipped with a hybrid drive shaved 14 seconds off the previous Nurburgring record for a street-legal automobile, and 17 seconds from its run last September.”
That new time is nothing to sneeze at (not that anyone driving the 918 Spyder during its record-breaking lap would have time to sneeze). Autoblog notes that the Porsche’s time is “over four seconds faster than the Dodge Viper ACR that has held the record for street-legal production cars two years ago. It's also faster than the Gumpert Apollo, and just behind the barely-legal Radical SR8. And maybe best of all, it gives McLaren something to keep gunning for.”
The Porsche 918 Spyder got its lap time while traveling at an average speed of 111.5 miles per hour. Jalopnik notes that as impressive as the 918 Spyder’s time is, there are always questions when an automaker announces a record-breaking achievement. “There is no real standardization for what a 'Ring lap is, other than the distance,” Jalopnik writes. “We can assume Porsche cleared the 'Ring, waited for a nice day, and launched the car as many times as they needed.”
Porsche says the 918 Spyder is not only about going fast, however. The 918 Spyder is a hybrid, and can travel up to 19 miles on electric power alone. Depending on how it’s driven, it can get 85 to 95 miles per gallon, reports Yahoo! Autos. Buyers will need all the savings at the gas station they can get. The 918 Spyder starts at $845,000, Yahoo! Autos says.
While a car like the Porsche 918 Spyder is out of reach for most consumers, building high-tech super cars like this gives automakers practice in using new technology and materials. Who knows? Maybe in a few years everyday cars will be able to get fuel economy that’s close to the 918 Spyder’s, even if they aren’t posting record-breaking lap times.

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Toyota Issues Voluntary Recall

Toyota is issuing two voluntary recalls on roughly 235,000 Lexus and Toyota models in the United States.
The first recall pertains to about 133,000 Highlander Hybrid models from the 2006 to 2010 model year and Lexus RX 400h models from the 2006 to 2008 model year. Toyota says in a press release that “transistors within the hybrid system's inverter assembly can experience heat damage due to variations in characteristics of the transistors built in parallel circuits.” This could result in the illumination of dashboard warning lights, and that “the vehicle will enter ‘limp home mode.’"  In some cases, the vehicle will essentially stop running while it is being driven.
The second recall affects about 102,000 Lexus IS 350, IS 350C and GS 350 models from the 2006 to 2011 model year. Toyota says that “bolts used to secure the variable valve timing control device can become loose, causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.” One of the first symptoms of this problem is an abnormal noise after starting the vehicle.
CNN Money spoke with Toyota, and reports that there have been no known injuries or accidents related to either problem.

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Chevrolet, Lexus, Subaru and Toyota Score Five-Star Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently awarded its top rating of five stars to a number of new Chevrolet, Lexus, Subaru and Toyota vehicles. Kicking Tires writes, “NHTSA's crash tests examine vehicles' safety performance in frontal and side collisions, as well as roof strength in rollover accidents.”
Rear- and four-wheel drive models of the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab earned five stars overall, as well as five stars in front and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The redesigned 2014 Lexus IS 250 also scored five stars overall, with a four-star rating in front crash tests and five stars for its performance in both side-impact and rollover tests for both rear- and all-wheel drive models. NHTSA’s latest top-performing vehicles also include the redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester and the 2014 Prius V, which performed identically in government crash tests. The Forester and Prius V earned five-star ratings overall, as well as five stars in side crash tests and four stars in front-impact and rollover tests.
While many recently-tested vehicles earned top ratings, Chevrolet’s new heavy-duty truck fell a bit short. When equipped with side-curtain and side-impact air bags, the rear-wheel drive Silverado 2500 crew cab scored four stars overall in NHTSA’s tests. Without side-curtain and side-impact air bags, the rear-wheel drive Silverado 2500 crew cab earned three stars overall. Regular cab versions of the Silverado 2500 performed worse, earning just two stars overall.

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Ford Recalls Large Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Sedans

Ford Motor Company is recalling 370,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury large sedans because of a potential steering issue.

Ford Crown Victoria Sedans during production in 2011 (Ford Motor Company)

The New York Times reports, “The action covers Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car models from 2005 through 2011, Kelli Felker, a Ford spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail. The recall is in effect in 22 states and the District of Columbia and includes about 195,000 Crown Victoria police cars.” The paper adds that the recall follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into steering complaints regarding police models of the 2005 to 2008 Ford Crown Victoria.
Though Ford says it does not know of any accidents or injuries related to the recall, the company told The Times that corrosion could affect the steering shaft, which could cause a loss of steering.
The Associated Press says, “Dealers will inspect the cars and may replace the lower intermediate steering shaft and if necessary resecure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft.”
The recall impacts cars in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia. Owners who live in other states can request a vehicle inspection from Ford.

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Volkswagen TDI Models to Get New Diesel Engine

Volkswagen's current 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel engine (Volkswagen of America)

Volkswagen has announced that a new diesel engine will be available in 2015 Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat models, which will hit dealer lots by the second half of 2014. The automaker reports that the new engine will produce 236 pound-feet of torque and 150 horsepower, which is a 10 horsepower increase in comparison with the 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel engine that the automaker currently offers.
Volkswagen Spokesman Mark Gilles tells Kicking Tires that the new engine should be more responsive and offer improved fuel economy. “It’s an all-new engine, to all intents and purposes,” Gillies says. “We’re hoping that it will give a probably somewhere around 8% bump to highway [fuel] economy.”
Currently, Volkswagen models like the diesel-powered Golf and Jetta TDI return 30/42 mpg city/highway, or 34 mpg combined. An 8 percent improvement could mean that both cars will hit just over 45 mpg in highway driving. In comparison, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel gets 46 mpg on the highway, but has slightly lower city and combined fuel economy estimates.
Volkswagen notes that it has sold more than 47,000 diesel models so far this year, which includes 10,000 diesel vehicles sold last month. The automaker reports that its sales account for “nearly 78 percent of the diesel sales for passenger cars in the United States this year.”
Diesel versions of the Volkswagen Beetle, Golf, Jetta and Passat currently command between $4,200 and $6,475 over their respective base models. However, a recent study indicates that lower ownership costs on diesel-powered Golf and Jetta models save their owners $5,013 and $3,128, respectively, over the course of three years.

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2014 Chevrolet Volt Sees 13 Percent Price Drop

If you’ve been saving up for a Chevrolet Volt, you can save a little less. Chevrolet has announced that for 2014, the Volt will cost $5,000 less than earlier models. That’s about a 13 percent price drop.

The 2014 Volt has a base price of $34,995, which includes an $810 destination fee. Consumers can get tax credits on a Volt purchase of up to $7,500, which could effectively lower the price of the Volt to $27,495.
“Dropping the Volt's price removes one of the primary consideration barriers for most buyers,” says Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “While the Volt features some of the most advanced, and expensive, drivetrain technology available, it still looks and feels like a compact car. That means only the most dedicated Volt fans will actually pay the car's asking price, which is far above other compact models. Nissan Leaf sales were up over 300 percent last month because of  that model's lower price. Chevrolet is undoubtedly aware of this shift in Leaf pricing, and its resulting sales spike. We all know what you're supposed to do when you can't beat 'em.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Volt not only has to compete with other plug-in cars, but also conventional gas-powered cars in Chevrolet showrooms. The Chevrolet Spark, Sonic and Cruze Eco all get 35 mpg or better on the highway, with the Cruze Eco getting up to 42 mpg. All three also start at less than $20,000, which is almost $7,500 less than the best price consumers could get on a Volt when tax credits are considered.
Jalopnik asks, “… when you can get a Cruze for much cheaper that gets a pretty decent MPG do you need the Volt?”
What do you think? Would a lower price make you more likely to buy a Chevrolet Volt or other plug-in car?

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2014 Corvette Stingray Makes Good First Impression

The first wave of critical reviews and instrumented tests of the completely redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray have just been completed, and reviewers find the results pretty impressive.
A few publications, including Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Edmunds, have just published reviews with their first impressions after driving the new Corvette. As we recently published, the seventh-generation Corvette is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that produces up to 460 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. The EPA gives the Corvette a fuel economy rating of 17/29 mpg city/highway.
Reviewers report the Corvette’s new LT1 V8 is very potent. Both Motor Trend and Car and Driver recorded 0-to-60 sprints of 3.9 seconds. Car and Driver says these acceleration times put the Corvette in “elite territory.”
In any car, but especially in high-performance cars, the brakes are just as important as the engine. Edmunds recorded a stop from 60 mph in 93 feet. They said this is the shortest stopping distance they’ve ever measured.

(General Motors Co.)

A major shortcoming of the last generation Corvette, according to most reviewers, was its cheap interior and unsupportive seats. Test drivers report that the new model’s interior is a great improvement. Motor Trend and Edmunds are pleased with the Corvette’s base seats, although Car and Driver said these seats don’t have quite enough side support for hard cornering. More aggressively-bolstered Competition seats are optional on the 2014 Corvette. The base model is equipped with a vinyl-wrapped dashboard that both Car and Driver and Motor Trend say has a high-quality look to it. A full leather-wrapped interior is also optional. Edmunds says that the Corvette’s interior quality “isn't Porsche materials quality. Nor is it Porsche pricing.”
The 2014 Corvette Stingray is an important model for Chevrolet and for General Motors as a whole. Noting that the Corvette represents a very small fraction of Chevrolet’s overall sales, which is often the case with sports cars, Edmunds Senior Analyst Michelle Krebs says the new Corvette is “more about image” for Chevrolet. She says this car is a renaissance symbol that shows that GM has emerged successfully from the recession and from bankruptcy.
According to Krebs, the new Corvette, along with cars like the redesigned Impala, which is also receiving good reviews, will hopefully inspire Chevrolet’s design team. She hopes that the appealing styling of these cars will have a positive impact on the future designs of Chevy’s other mainstream vehicles like the Malibu and Cruze.

Stingray emblem (General Motors Co.)

The new Corvette’s Stingray nickname harkens back to the 1963 Corvette, which Krebs says is regarded as one of the greatest Corvettes of all times. When asked if the new Stingray will live up to such a legacy, Krebs says that is a question that we won’t be able to fully answer for another 20 years.

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2014 Mazda3 Fuel Economy Expected to Top Compact Class

(Mazda Motor Of America Inc.)

Mazda showed off its all-new 2014 Mazda3 hatchback almost a month ago, which was followed by the introduction of the sedan. Now the automaker says it expects the 2014 Mazda3 sedan to get 29/41 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 30/41 mpg with the automatic. The EPA has not rated the sedan yet (it rated the manual hatchback at 29/40 and automatic at 30/40 mpg), but Mazda's estimates are some of the highest among compact cars.
Among non-hybrid compact sedans, the 2014 Mazda3’s projected fuel economy tops the Nissan Sentra’s 30/39 mpg EPA fuel economy rating (CVT), as well as the Honda Civic’s 28/39 mpg estimate and the Hyundai Elantra’s 28/38 mpg rating.
If the EPA confirms Mazda’s fuel economy estimates for the new Mazda3 sedan, they will compete with, or even top, some of the ratings on compact cars that have a trim designed to save fuel. For example, the Chevrolet Cruze Eco gets 26/39 mpg (automatic) and 28/42 (manual), the Dodge Dart Aero gets 28/41 (manual) and 28/40 (automatic) and the Honda Civic HF earns a 29/41 rating (automatic). These fuel-efficient trims often cost more than the base model, though, and these three models all cost upwards of $19,000.
The 2014 Mazda3 will cost more than last year’s model. The 2014 sedan with a manual transmission will start at $16,945, which does not include a $795 destination fee. This is a price bump of $245 over the 2013 Mazda3 sedan. The base model with an automatic will cost $17,995. Mazda points out in a press release that the extra money gets you more standard features for 2014, including a USB port, push-button start, daytime running lights, remote keyless entry and automatic power door locks.
The 2013 Mazda3 is currently ranked at the top of our compact car class. Will the 2014's high fuel economy estimates and newly standard features keep it there? Car and Driver calls it “one heck of a small car,” and says “it happens to drive like no sub-$20,000 car deserves to.” Jalopnik says the 2014 Mazda3 is “arguably the most exciting car in this segment.” Autoblog says, “But beyond its slick lines, we found the new compact hatch to be a pretty remarkable steer, offering up good levels of comfort and refinement, not to mention functionality and engagement.” The 2014 Mazda3 goes on sale in September.

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All-Electric BMW i3 Priced at $42,275

BMW i3 Concept (BMW Group)

The BMW i3 will start at $42,275 (including a $925 destination charge) when it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2014. The all-electric i3 will join the ranks of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles that qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which currently include cars like the Chevrolet Volt, Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S. Edmunds points out that a full tax credit effectively will lower the i3’s starting price to $34,775.
“With this leading-edge vehicle and attractive price, we will provide customers with a compelling offer for electromobility,” says Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW in a press release. The i3’s starting price is $27,625 less than the base Tesla Model S, but also $13,475 more than the Nissan Leaf. Plug-in hybrid competitors like the 2013 Chevrolet Volt and 2014 Ford Fusion Energi start at $2,280 and $2,589 less, respectively.

(BMW Group)

The Los Angeles Times spoke with Gartner Auto Analyst Thilo Koslowski, who says that BMW’s entrance into the EV market could put some pressure on automakers like Tesla. “Gaining as much mind share as possible at this point is hugely important,” says Koslowski. “The clock is ticking for Tesla in its unique position. They have to leverage the thrust they have now.”
The BMW says that the i3 will come with an electric motor that produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, as well as a 22-kilowatt-hour battery that will provide 80 to 100 miles of driving range. The i3 can be charged using a home charging system, or at standard Level 2 public charging stations. A fast-charging port will be optional, which BMW says can “provide an 80 percent charge from a fully depleted battery in just 20 minutes.” An optional two-cylinder engine will also be available, which acts as a generator to provide another 80 to 100 miles of driving range.
Edmunds expects the i3’s home charging station to start at between $2,000 and $3,000, while the range-extending engine should be available for roughly $2,000.

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Honda Redesigns Fit, Adds Hybrid, Sedan Options

This Japanese-market Honda Fit will be similar to the 2015 U.S. model. (Honda Motor Company)

Honda has released images of the all-new Japanese model Fit and, according to Motor Trend, the pictures offer U.S. buyers a sneak peak of the 2015 U.S. model.
The images show a blue Honda Fit hatchback with all-new styling that Motor Trend says will be featured on the 2015 U.S. model. Changes include more angular bodywork on the front, side and rear and a new headlight and grille combination that reminded Motor Trend of Honda’s Clarity hydrogen-powered car.
Automotive News (subscription required) reports that Honda has also developed a new hybrid system for the Fit that “greatly boosts fuel economy over the current [hybrid] system” that's used in other Honda models, like the Insight. Automotive News says that Honda will probably not release a hybrid version of the hatchback pictured above to the U.S. However, the U.S. will likely receive a new Fit sedan and Fit-based small crossover with the hybrid drivetrain.

(Honda Motor Company)

The 2013 Honda Fit is our No. 1 ranked affordable subcompact car, but it is ranked fifth in subcompact sales this year with 25,541 cars sold through June 2013, according to Automotive News. That is much less than the top-selling 2013 Nissan Versa, which had sales of 63,761 in that same period, and the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic (44,905 units sold). The Sonic ranks fourth in our affordable subcompact rankings, and the Versa is 15th out of 16 subcompact cars. Automotive News says Honda wants the redesigned Fit to be more competitive with these cars, and hopes the new hybrid option will help the Fit compete with other small hybrids like the Toyota Prius c. Toyota sold 20,575 Prius c hybrids through June, according to Automotive News.
Motor Trend says that, despite the design overhaul, the exterior dimensions of the subcompact Fit remain the same. While it wasn't impressed with the interior, the publication expects the design to change before the car goes on sale in the U.S.

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Ford to Offer Free MPG Boost to 2013 Hybrid Owners

Ford will begin offering a free software update in August to improve the fuel economy of the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Ford says the software update will improve its hybrids’ real-world fuel economy. “We believe these actions will provide our customers enhanced on-road fuel economy satisfaction,” says Raj Nair, group vice president of global product development at Ford, in a press release.
According to Ford, the software update will increase the electric-only top speed from 62 to 85 mph, reduce engine warm-up time, decrease aerodynamic drag using Ford’s active grille shutters, reduce engine cooling fan speed and optimize the climate control system.
“Customers should see the most improvement at highway speeds, during air conditioner use and operation in colder climates,” says Nair. He expects the mileage improvements to vary based on the way people drive. “Just as individual mileage can vary based on driving styles and environmental conditions,” he says, “we expect fuel economy improvements will differ from customer to customer depending on individual driving habits.”
Ford’s announcement Tuesday comes amid criticism that the company has inflated the fuel economy numbers of hybrids like the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid. Reuters reports that “Ford faces a number of class action lawsuits that claim the No. 2 U.S. automaker overstated the gas mileage on its hybrids.”
According to Business Insider, one plaintiff, who owns a C-Max Hybrid, averaged aproximately 37 mpg in combined driving, which is less than the EPA's 47 mpg combined estimate.
Consumer Reports tested the car last year and also reported 37 mpg combined.
Like other automakers, Ford uses the EPA's fuel economy estimates in its advertising. Organizations such as Consumer Reports have recently questioned the EPA’s testing methods, saying that the EPA’s tests don’t reflect real world driving and can result in inflated fuel economy numbers, especially for hybrids. The EPA last addressed concerns about its fuel economy tests in 2008, when it changed its methods to better reflect real world driving. It included faster acceleration, air conditioner use and colder outside temperatures in its tests, and average fuel economy numbers dropped.
Autoweek reports that the software updates should take a half day, and that Ford encourages 2013 hybrid owners to make an appointment with their dealer.

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Chrysler Recalls More Than 50,000 Jeep and Ram Models

Chrysler Group is recalling 45,961 Ram 1500 trucks in the U.S. due to a software issue that can disable the Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The recall affects 2013 model-year trucks with four-wheel drive. ESC systems use sensors to detect when a vehicle is losing control, and then helps the driver maintain control by applying the brakes to certain wheels to keep the car moving along its intended path. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Affected owners should hear from Chrysler in August and dealers will update the ESC software for free. If you have any questions about the recall, you can call Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753 and mention recall campaign number N37.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees with LED headlamps have been recalled. (Chrysler Group)

Chrysler is also recalling 4,458 Jeep Grand Cherokee models for a problem with the vehicle’s parking lamps. NHTSA says that the recall affects 2014 Grand Cherokee Limited, Overland and Summit models that are equipped with premium headlamps and LED daytime running lights. When the driver turns the parking lights on, a software glitch immediately turns them off again. This can result in reduced visibility, which increases the risk of a crash. Without parking lamps, the vehicle also fails to conform to federal safety standards, according to NHTSA.
The fix involves a software update, which dealers will do free of charge. Chrysler will start contacting owners of affected vehicles in August. If you have any questions for Chrysler, you can contact them at 1-800-247-9753 and mention recall campaign number N42.

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Ram 1500 Picks Up Top Rating from Consumer Reports

Chrysler Group has something to celebrate as Consumer Reports has named the 2013 Ram 1500 its top full-size pickup truck. Explaining the top rating, Consumer Reports writes, "The updated truck delivered impressive performance in our tests, balancing work capability and refinement in a way that sees it outscore established domestic- and foreign-nameplate competitors."

This isn't the first award the 2013 Ram 1500 has won. It's the most recent winner of the North American Truck of the Year award. The 2013 model has some significant updates, including a more luxurious interior, better fuel economy and tweaks to the suspension to improve the truck's ride. The Ram 1500 is the only full-size pickup truck in the U.S. that uses a coil spring suspension. Reviewers like how the setup makes the Ram 1500 less bouncy and more comfortable than other full-size pickups.
The Wall Street Journal reports, "The top ranking from Consumer Reports is yet another vote of confidence at a time when Chrysler is trying to gain ground against competitors General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. Already, the Ram brand has managed to pick up market share from rivals. Ram sales in the first half of this year were up 23%, according to AutoData Corp."
While it seems to be all good news for the Ram 1500, USA Today writes that the truck can't afford to rest on its laurels. The paper points out that Consumer Reports hasn't finished testing the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, which is all new. Consumer Reports says, "First impressions are that the Silverado is a comfortable and refined truck that could possibly challenge the Ram in our Ratings."

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Toyota RAV4 Fares Poorly in IIHS Small Overlap Crash Test

Even with extra time to prepare, the 2013 Toyota RAV4 didn't do well in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap frontal crash test. In a press release, the IIHS says they initially delayed crash testing the RAV4 to allow Toyota to enhance the vehicle’s safety structure.
According to the IIHS, the changes made were not sufficient, and the RAV4 earned a score of Poor in the new safety test. The agency reports that “the driver's space was seriously compromised by intruding structure, and the dummy's left foot was trapped by crushed and buckled sheet metal in the footwell.” Additionally, “the dummy's head barely contacted the frontal airbag before sliding off the left side as the steering column moved more than 7 inches to the right, resulting in little airbag cushioning for the chest.” Finally, the agency reports that excessive movement allowed by the safety belt resulted in the dummy’s head hitting the dashboard.
The small overlap frontal crash test is IIHS’ newest safety test. It is designed to evaluate a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants in a collision where the front corner of the vehicle hits an object like a pole or another car.
 
Failure to earn a score of Good in the small overlap frontal crash test means the 2013 RAV4 does not earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus status. Still, the RAV4 is designated a Top Safety Pick for its scores of Good in all of the other IIHS safety tests.
The New York Times corresponded with Toyota via email, and they report that the automaker says it is “looking at a range of solutions to achieve greater crash performance in this area.”
The only two compact SUVs that have been earned the Top Safety Pick Plus designation so far are the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport and redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester.

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette Officially Rated at 29 MPG Highway

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (General Motors)

The EPA has officially rated the redesigned 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at 17/29 mpg city/highway, which works out to 21 mpg combined when equipped with a seven-speed manual transmission. The new Corvette has better fuel economy estimates than the 2013 model, which earned 16/26 mpg city/highway and a combined rating of 19 mpg.
General Motors says in a press release that the 2014 Corvette gets 28 mpg on the highway in its normal Tour drive mode, while 30 mpg can be achieved on the highway by switching to the Corvette’s Eco drive mode. Selecting Eco mode engages the Corvette’s Active Fuel Management system, “which disables four of the cylinders for improved fuel economy during light engine loads.” Fuel economy estimates for models with the six-speed automatic transmission have not been released yet, but GM says that Corvettes with automatic transmissions use Active Fuel Management at all times, unless the driver uses the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters to put the Corvette in manual mode.
GM says that the Stingray’s fuel economy rating makes it “the most fuel efficient sports car on the market as no other car offers more than 455 horsepower and greater than 29 mpg highway.” In comparison, less powerful cars like the Ford Mustang GT and BMW M3 earn 18/25 and 14/20 mpg, respectively, while the more powerful Nissan GT-R gets 16/23 mpg. The 400-horsepower Porsche 911 Carrera S gets 19/27 mpg city/highway. While the 911 Carrera S earns two mpg less on the highway, it does earn a slightly higher combined fuel economy estimate at 22 mpg.
The 2014 Corvette Stingray will go on sale this fall, while convertible models will hit dealer lots by the end of 2013. After a $995 destination charge, the Corvette Stingray will start at $51,995 and $56,995 for coupe and convertible models, respectively.

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Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Promises Best-in-Class Fuel Economy

(Chrysler Group)

Diesel engine options have long been a mainstay for heavy-duty pickup trucks, but until now, diesel power has never been offered in the half-ton truck segment. That changes with the 2014 Ram 1500. Chrysler Group announced last week details for the EcoDiesel engine option for the Ram 1500.
Chrysler Group hasn’t given any specific fuel economy estimates yet, but it expects the Ram 1500 with the EcoDiesel to be more fuel-efficient than any gasoline V6-powered half-ton pickup truck available. The most fuel-efficient non-hybrid full-size pickup truck currently on the market is the Ram 1500 equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic, which is rated at an EPA-estimated 17/25 mpg city/highway. With the diesel engine, Pickuptrucks.com predicts that fuel economy estimates will be about 23 mpg city and less than 30 mpg highway.
Chrysler Group says the EcoDiesel engine option is a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is also available on the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.
Autoblog expects an EcoDiesel-powered Ram 1500 to be able to tow as much as a Hemi V8-powered model, “while returning significantly better fuel mileage.” A Hemi-equipped Ram 1500 can tow up to 10,450 pounds.
With the projections for towing capacity and fuel economy, an EcoDiesel Ram 1500 should be able to match the towing capacity of the strongest Ram 1500 and meet, if not exceed, the fuel economy estimates of the gasoline V6-powered Ram 1500. Given the added cost of diesel fuel over gasoline, owners may not save much money at the pump, but the increased fuel economy should allow for more miles between refueling stops. Given a 26-gallon fuel tank and estimating 29 mpg highway, a diesel-powered Ram 1500 could travel more than 750 miles on a full tank. Using the same tank size with the gasoline V6’s 25 mpg highway estimate, the maximum range of that Ram 1500 would be about 650 miles.
The new diesel engine option costs $2,850 more than a similarly-equipped Hemi V8-powered model, according to Chrysler Group. Given this pricing information, Car and Driver expects that a diesel-powered Ram 1500 will likely start at about $30,000.
Chrysler Group says the base 2014 Ram 1500 will start at $24,200 before destination. A Ram Truck representative said it will hit dealerships late this year or early in 2014.

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Redesigned 2014 BMW X5 Gets Pricier

(BMW of North America)

BMW announced this week that the redesigned 2014 X5 SUV will start at $53,725, including destination, which represents an increase of $5,300 over the 2013 model.
For 2014, BMW adds a new base model, the sDrive35i, which is the first rear-wheel drive X5 BMW has offered. Other models, all of which have all-wheel drive, include the xDrive35i, which starts at $56,025, xDrive35d (diesel), which starts at $57,525, and xDrive50i, which starts at $69,125.
According to USA Today, “BMW says straight price comparisons aren't fair,” given the 2014 model’s increased size, lower curb weight and added standard equipment over the 2013 model. When looking at the prices of rivals in its class, the new X5 is still more expensive. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class starts at $48,175, the Acura MDX starts at $43,185 and the Porsche Cayenne starts at $50,575, all including destination.

(BMW of North America)

For 2014, the 35i models are powered by BMW’s turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, rated at 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. This engine carries over unchanged from 2013. The 35d features a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbo diesel engine that makes 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which is a loss of 10 horsepower and 12 pound-feet of torque over the 2013 model. The 50i has a 4.4-liter V8 rated at 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, which is an increase of 45 horsepower and 30 pound-feet of torque over the 2013 model’s V8 option. All X5 models have an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EPA has yet to publish fuel economy information for the 2014 X5, but for reference, the 2013 xDrive35i is rated at 16/23 mpg city/highway, the diesel xDrive35d at 19/26 mpg and the xDrive50i at 14/20 mpg.
BMW says the 2014 X5 comes with more standard equipment, including an engine start-stop feature, iDrive navigation with a touchpad and a 10.2-inch display and a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat. A two-passenger third-row seat is optional. BMW offers a few trim lines for each model that add features and equipment to the X5. These trims include the Luxury Line, xLine and M Sport.
To Car and Driver, the new X5 appears “a little chunkier” than the 2013 model, but points out that BMW claims to have reduced the new model’s curb weight by about 170 to 230 pounds.
The gas-powered 35i and 50i models will hit showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year, while the diesel model will arrive in early 2014.

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