April 2015

Powerful, efficient Audi prologue allroad concept to make debut in Shanghai

(April 16, 2015) INGOLSTADT, Germany — High-end technology and unrestricted everyday practicality, plus alluring elegance: The Audi prologue allroad is making its world premiere at Auto Shanghai next week. The five-door show car with its raised body and tougher stance provides a new emphasis in the conceptual Audi prologue family.

The plug-in hybrid concept enables digital interaction between driver and passengers making a maximum 724 horsepower.

BMW i3 electric vehicle tops Kelley Blue Book's Best Green Cars

(April 16, 2015) IRVINE, Calif. — Just in time for Earth Day, eco-friendly drivers in the market Kelley Blue Book has picked the 10 Best Green Cars of 2015.  Taking the top spot on this annual list for the second year in a row is the all-electric BMW i3.

Each year the KBB.com editors compile a list of the most efficient vehicles available and then pick 10 standouts featuring a variety of price ranges and powertrains.

Cadillac says 2016 ELR advances power, technology

(April 16, 2015) DETROIT — Cadillac announced this week that the ELR electrified luxury coupe will offer a host of upgrades for the 2016 model year, including boosts in acceleration, driving performance and connectivity.

Major product upgrades include a more than 25 percent boost in power and torque, faster acceleration that improves 0-60 mph by 1.5 seconds, higher top speed, retuned chassis and steering for better handling, more responsive brakes and a new performance equipment package.

Toyota joins several other automakers rethinking body structure

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(April 16, 2015) It looks like VW, Renault and Volvo aren’t the only companies chasing after modular vehicle architectures. Now Toyota has entered the fray with  the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). This integrated powertrain and platform strategy development program includes tactical component sharing, and should reduce the pull on its resources by 20 percent.

Fiat Chrysler European sales up 15.7 percent in March

(April 16, 2015) LONDON — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles European passenger car sales totaled nearly 98,000 vehicles, representing a 15.7% year-over-year increase and outpacing the industry average for the third consecutive month in March. Overall the European passenger car market registered its third consecutive monthly increase, with new registrations up 10.8% year-over-year to nearly 1,651,000 vehicles.

Toyota announces plans for $1 billion plant in Mexico to build Corolla

(April 15, 2015) PLANO, Texas — Toyota today announced plans to  invest approximately $1 billion to construct its newest North American manufacturing facility in the state of Guanajuato in Central Mexico to produce the Corolla.  This state-of-the-art plant will feature the latest Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) production engineering innovations, employ approximately 2,000 people and have the capacity to produce 200,000 units annually. 
 

Acura puts more features, horsepower in 2016 RDX

(April 15, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — In a major commitment to advance what is already one of its most successful models, Acura is launching a more powerful, fuel efficient and luxuriously appointed 2016 RDX crossover at dealerships nationwide on Thursday with a starting price of $35,270 — an increase of just $175 over the 2015 model.

Mecum Houston auction records $25.2 million in sales

(April 15, 2015) The Mecum Houston 2015 auction held this past weekend was a success with 645 vehicles sold of the total 934 offered for a pronounced 70-percent sell-through rate and $25,285,163 in total sales.

Chevrolet lowers price on 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV

(April 15, 2015) DETROIT — Chevrolet has announced that the Spark EV 1LT’s new manufacturer’s suggested retail price would start at $25,995. Depending on an individual’s tax situation, the Spark EV is eligible for federal tax credit up to $7,500.

“Chevrolet is committed to making EV driving more accessible, affordable and fun” said Steve Majoros, director of Chevrolet Car and Crossover Marketing.

A late-'30s model Buick watches traffic pass



Buick reworked and renamed its entire lineup for the 1936 model year to celebrate the engineering improvements and design advancements over the 1935 models. This is an example of a post-1935 Buick, late '30s model, which was found parked along the side of a highway in central Florida.
(Photo by Jeffrey Ross)