Sunday, January 15, 2017

2017 DETROIT AUTO SHOW

     Old man winter is upon us. Here in sunny socal the term winter translates into 65 degree average daily temps with a few rainy days mixed in. However, winter actually means winter in areas such as Detroit especially during the month of January. The NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) is held every January amidst freezing temps & lots of snow! You couldn't pay me to attend this show NO...THANK...YOU! So hence it's one of the only major auto shows I've never been to. But for today's post, I am going to bring you a few highlights taken from the NAIAS to make it appear as though I braved the snow just for my readers (all 4 of them LOL!).


NISSAN 
Rogue Sport
  • Slots in between the subcompact Juke and the Rogue.
  • 140 hp 4-cylinder w/ a CVT. 
  • S, SV, and SL trim levels available with FWD or AWD 
  • SL includes 19” alloy wheels, heated seats/mirrors, leather heated steering wheel, and leather shift knob.
  • Optional Nissan "Intelligent Safety Shield” includes Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, and Forward Emergency Braking.
  • On sale in May.

HONDA 
Odyssey
  • New “Magic Slide” multi-position 2nd-row seat adjusts both fore and aft and side-to-side; “separation mode” leaves a wide center aisle between the 2nd-row seat
  • Cabin Watch helps monitor passengers in the 2nd and 3rd rows
  • Cabin Talk allows the driver to talk to the 2nd and 3rd-row passengers via the audio speakers and the rear entertainment headphones.
  • Connected Rear Entertainment has 10” ceiling mounted screen, and can stream video via 4G LTE Wi-Fi, public Wi-Fi, or cell-phone data plan.
  • "How Much Farther” app tracks road-trip progress
  • Cabin Control allows rear entertainment and rear climate to be controlled via smartphone.
  • Optional heated and ventilated front seats, heated mirrors and steering wheel, wireless device charging, HondaVac built-in vacuum, and hands-free power tailgate with foot activation. 
  • Standard Honda Sensing.
  • Styling retains its signature “lightning bolt” beltline design, but the body sculpting is a bit softer and less angular than before. 
  • Sliding side door tracks now integrated with the rear quarter windows; a definite aesthetic improvement. 
  • 280 hp V6 with a 9-speed (or) 10-speed automatic. 
  • On sale in May

KIA 
Stinger
  • RWD or AWD
  • 255 hp Turbo 4-cylinder
  • 365 hp Twin-Turbo V6 w/ 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. 
  • 0-60 in 5.1-seconds and a 165-mph top speed for the twin-turbo V6. 
  • Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control can apply power and braking force to the appropriate wheels to enhance cornering performance in inclement conditions.
  • Optional Adjustable Dynamic Stability Damping Control suspension is accessed via driver-selectable Personal, Eco, Sport, Comfort, and Smart modes. 
  • V6 models will have Brembo disc brakes.
  • Optional Nappa leather, head-up display, and Harman/Kardon audio. 
  • Optional Forward Collision Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Driver Attention Alert.
  • On sale in December

LEXUS 
LS 500
  • 415 hp Twin-Turbo V6 w/ 10-speed automatic & optional AWD
  • Driver can adjust performance settings between Normal, Sport, and Sport+ modes.
  • Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Management
  • Lexus Dynamic Handling with independent front and rear steering.
  • Optional Mark Levinson 3D surround audio with in-ceiling speakers; Active Noise Control; 12” widescreen navigation display; 24” color head-up display; natural-wood interior-trims; 28-way power front seats with heating, cooling, and massage; and rear seats with heating, cooling, Shiatsu massage, a raised ottoman, reclining rear seatback, and the ability to be raised up to 24 degrees to assist the rear passenger in exiting the vehicle. 
  • Optional air suspension automatically raises the vehicle for easier entry via the keyfob.
  • On sale in December

TOYOTA 
Camry
  • All-new platform called TNGA, for Toyota New Global Architecture. 
  • LE, XLE, SE, and XSE trims continue; sportier SE and XSE trims have a more-aggressive front and rear fascia, sculpted rocker panels, rear spoiler, and Black 19” alloy wheels (on XSE).
  • 4-cylinder with 8-speed automatic
  • V6 w/ CVT
  • 4-cylinder Hybrid w/ CVT. 
  • Toyota Safety Sense includes Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams. Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Monitor. 
  • Optional Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan, Rear Cross-Traffic Braking, and Intelligent Clearance Sonar.
  • Standard Entune 3 multimedia
  • Optional JBL audio, 10” color head-up display, Dynamic Navigation, and 4G LTE wi-fi 
  • Optional Remote Connect enables remote locking/unlocking, vehicle status notifications, and guest driver monitoring.
  • On sale in September

BMW 
5-Series
  • 530i ($51,000), 540i ($56,500), 530ei plug-in hybrid ($51,500), and M550ix ($72,000) 
  • 530i = new 250 hp Turbo 4-cylinder
  • 540i = 335 hp 6-cylinder
  • 530ei = “eDrive” electric motor with a Turbo 4-cylinder
  • Three eDrive settings—AUTO eDRIVE, MAX eDRIVE, and BATTERY CONTROL allow the driver to modify the battery-use characteristics. 
  • M550ix = 455 hp Twin Turbo V8
  • All models will have an 8-speed automatic, adaptive LED headlights, 18" wheels, sport seats, and BMW’s Fatigue and Focus Alert. 
  • Optional Dynamic Damper Control adjustable suspension, Remote Control Parking, Active Lane Keep Assist/Traffic Jam Assist, and Gesture Control.
  • On sale Now

MERCEDES-BENZ 
GLA
  • 8” display screen w/ optional 360-degree camera
  • AMG GLA 45 = 375 hp Turbo 4-cylinder
  • Standard on AMG GLA 45 are new LED headlamps
  • GLA 250, GLA 250 4Matic, & AMG GLA 45 4Matic trim levels 
  • New GLA 220 4Matic trim level coming soon
  • On sale in July

VOLKSWAGEN 
Tiguan
  • Optional Driver Assistance Technology package; adaptive cruise control, front pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. 
  • Optional Panoramic Sunroof
  • 185 hp Turbo 4-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, & 4Motion AWD
  • On sale in July

FORD 
F-150
  • New 250 hp Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V6
  • New 280 hp V6
  • EcoBoost Turbo V6
  • V8
  • 10-speed automatic w/ fuel-saving automatic start/stop technology.  
  • Optional 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection.
  • New grille, headlamps, bumpers, tail lights and tailgate. 
  • New carbon-fiber-style appliques on XLT Sport and Lariat Sport, and Kingsville Leather seats on King Ranch.
  • Optional adaptive cruise control. 
  • On sale in November
  • Power Stroke won’t arrive until July 2018.
GMC 
Terrain
  • 170 hp 4-cylinder, 250 hp 4-cylinder, and 135 hp Turbo Diesel 4-cylinder 
  • All three utilize fuel-saving auto stop/start technology; the first two use a 9-speed automatic, while the turbodiesel is paired with 6-speed automatic.
  • Electronic Precision Shift consists of push buttons and pull triggers situated at the forward edge of the console. 
  • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and myGMC mobile app, which allows management of some vehicle functions via a compatible smartphone.
  • Optional Surround Vision camera, Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator, Forward Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Departure Warning, and Safety Alert Seat. Plus, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist, & Lane-Change Alert with blind-spot monitor.
  • SL, SLE, SLT and Denali trim levels in FWD or AWD
  • Denali has heated steering wheel, navigation, Bose 7-speaker audio, hands-free power liftgate, 19” ultra-bright alloy wheels, additional chrome trim, LED headlamps, and signature chrome grille.
  • On sale in July

CHEVROLET 
Traverse
  • Two new trim levels; RS & High Country. 
  • RS includes Black exterior trim, Black chrome grille with Black bowtie, and 20” wheels. 
  • High Country includes leather with suede accents, unique badging, LED headlights, power-folding 3rd-row seat, polished 20” wheels, and advanced AWD.
  • 305 hp V6 with 9-speed automatic standard on all trims EXCEPT the RS, which has a 255 hp turbo 4-cylinder with 9-speed automatic.
  • Optional hands-free power liftgate has a Chevrolet bowtie-logo lamp that illuminates the ground where drivers need to place a foot to operate the liftgate. 
  • Optional wireless device charging and USB ports in all 3 seating rows.
  • Optional Surround Vision camera, Lane Keep Assist/Departure Warning, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Forward Automatic Braking, Teen Driver monitoring and Rear Seat Reminders.
  • On sale in November.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

SMALL CARS ARE ON THE RISE...

     Small cars are still hugely popular. If you're on a budget, here's what's out there to help your almighty dollar. Most of these I wouldn't be caught dead in, but that's just me.
     See what you think...


CHEVROLET
Spark
$13,000

NISSAN
Versa
$13,000

MITSUBISHI
Mirage
Mirage G4
$14,000

FORD
Fiesta
$14,000

KIA
Rio
$15,000

HYUNDAI
Accent
$16,000

NISSAN
Versa Note
$16,000

FIAT
500
$17,000

TOYOTA
Yaris
$17,000

HONDA
Fit
$17,000