April 2017

Hyundai, Kia recall 1.2 million vehicles over 4-cylinder engine issue

(April 8, 2017) Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will recall as many as 1.2 million sedans and crossovers to inspect and replace if necessary four-cylinder engines that may stall, it was announced Friday by the two South Korean companies.

Manufacturing errors in Hyundai's 2.0- and 2.4-liter "Theta" four-cylinder engines, which both companies use in their vehicles, could cause engine bearings to wear prematurely and lead to an engine stall, according to recall notices posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website Friday.

Volkswagen hopes to gain sales muscle with new Atlas SUV

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 9, 2017) SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A new SUV is coming to Volkswagen showrooms in May. And yes, the VW folks say, its an SUV, not one of the growing numbers of “crossovers” that basically put an SUV body over a sedan chassis. (Though Mark Gillies, senior manager for Product Communications, sees them as “interchangeable terms.”)

New Mercedes-AMG GT R to start at $157,000

(April 7, 2017) ATLANTA — Mercedes-Benz USA has announced pricing for the 2018 AMG GT R Coupe. Arriving in U.S. dealers this summer, the AMG GT R will start at $157,000. The new Mercedes-AMG GT R features a front-mid-engine with a transaxle, handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 biturbo engine rated at 577 horsepower, extensively modified suspension, active aerodynamics, active rear-wheel steering, nine-way adjustable traction control and intelligent lightweight construction  throughout.

400-horsepower 2018 Audi RS 3 sedan becomes available in U.S.

(April 7, 2017) NEW YORK — Available for the first time in the U.S., the 2018 Audi RS 3 will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show next week. As the first compact Audi sedan to wear the RS badge, the RS 3 delivers unrivaled performance in its segment, coupled with a high level of everyday functionality.

Infiniti sets all-time sales records for first quarter and March

(April 7, 2017) HONG KONG — Infiniti Motor Company achieved the best month and best first quarter sales in its history.  Infiniti sold 67,367 vehicles globally in the first quarter, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. In March, it sold 28,406 vehicles globally, a 14% increase from last March.

Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Company said, "It is gratifying to see that customers around the world continue to appreciate the design, performance and quality they expect from Infiniti.

Buick goes in a different direction with the 2018 Regal

(April 7, 2017) DETROIT — Coming off a historic year with record sales, four new vehicle launches and awards validating Buick’s quality and customer experience, the brand’s introduction of the all-new Regal TourX and Sportback are the latest product to broaden the brand’s lineup in the U.S. Like the successful Encore and Cascada, the TourX and Sportback proves Buick continues to make bold moves outside traditional vehicle segments.

Alfa Romeo to debut 2018 Stelvio SUV at New York Auto Show

(April 7, 2017)  AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Expanding Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio lineup beyond the ultra-high-performance Quadrifoglio, Stelvio and Stelvio Ti models further highlight the second of a new generation of vehicles embodying Alfa Romeo’s La meccanica delle emozioni (the mechanics of emotion) spirit. The full Stelvio lineup brings world-class performance, advanced technologies, seductive Italian style and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium mid-size SUV segment.

Most powerful production TT ever — The all-new 2018 Audi TT RS

(April 6, 2017) NEW YORK — With an all-new five-cylinder engine delivering 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, the all-new 2018 Audi TT RS is the most powerful production TT model Audi has ever produced. Joining the new Audi Sport model line, the 2018 TT RS will make its U.S. debut at the 2017 New York International Auto Show.

Honda announces first 2018 off-road models

(April 6, 2017) TORRANCE, Calif. – Just in time for spring, Honda made its first off-road announcement of the 2018 model year, starring a mix of fun and popular trail bikes. The CRF/F line is renowned for being enjoyable and reliable, and the four smallest models — the CRF125F (available in standard and big-wheel versions), CRF110F, and CRF50F — serve as great vehicles for exploring the trails and introducing new riders to motorcycling.

Subaru debuts 2018 Outback with more rugged styling, new safety tech

(April 6, 2017) NEW YORK — Subaru of America, Inc., today announced that it will debut the 2018 Outback at the New York International Auto Show on April 12. The 2018 version of the Outback, Subaru’s best-selling model, will arrive in dealerships this summer.

Featuring revised front and rear styling for a more robust stance, the 2018 Outback also debuts significant upgrades to comfort, safety and multimedia capability. Many new engineering and design details throughout the 2018 Outback enhance the driving experience and the vehicle’s versatility.