Latest New Car Information and Car Exporting News

07/29/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Buick LaCrosse

The 2014 Buick LaCrosse was revealed at the March 2013 New York International Auto Show. A mid-cycle update, the 2014 LaCrosse gets a facelift with Buick's new waterfall grille, a sculpted hood and LED headlights. Small hood vents have been moved from the top to the side. In back, there's a new rear fascia, new wing-shaped LED tail lights and an integrated spoiler. LaCrosse is Buick's full-size sedan.

Aerodynamics are improved with the addition of active front grille shutters, which close at highway speeds to reduce drag. This technology is used on other GM models, including the Cadillac ATS.

Inside, the 2014 LaCrosse cabin has been redesigned with new seats and more space. A new center stack comes with an 8-inch color touch screen, that uses Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system, which shares many features with Chevrolet's MyLink and Cadillac's CUE interfaces. Features include smartphone integration with apps like Pandora, and voice recognition that controls navigation and audio functions. A new 7-speaker audio system comes standard; an 11-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround system is optional. A new Ultra Luxury interior package uses semi-aniline leather upholstery and ash wood trim.

The 2014 LaCrosse receives upgrades to the chassis and suspension, also. The Buick LaCrosse is built on the same platform as the Cadillac XTS and the all-new Chevrolet Impala.

Engine choices carry over from the previous model and include the standard 2.4-liter inline-4 with eAssist good for 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque, and GM's familiar 3.6-liter V6 that makes 304 hp and 264 lb.-ft. Both are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

As before, the LaCrosse is available with all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive is standard.

New electronic safety features on the 2014 LaCrosse include lane change alert, which goes a step beyond blind zone alert in that it can detect moving vehicles in the next line that are up to 230 feet behind. This and other features are bundled into packages: The Driver Confidence 1 package includes forward collision alert, lane departure warning, lane change alert, side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert. A head-up display and HID headlights are also included.

The Driver Confidence 2 package adds active safety features including radar-based forward collision alert, collision preparation with collision mitigation braking (which will automatically brake if a collision is imminent), full-speed-range adaptive cruise control and a safety alert seat, which can vibrate the driver's seat cushion in lieu of an audible alert.

The 2014 Buick LaCrosse will be available in dealerships this summer (2013). Prices haven't been announced, but we expect there to be a modest price increase over the 2013 model, which has a starting MSRP of $31,660.

07/25/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Chevrolet SS

Fans of rear-wheel-drive compact sportscars will no doubt salivate over the all-new Chevrolet SS performance sedan, unveiled at the Daytona International Speedway as the pace car for the NASCAR season opener.

The four-door powerhouse is significant, because, as GM North America President Mark Reuss (and founder of Chevrolet's performance division) points out, it's been 17 years since the brand has built anything like it, despite the fact that sporty rear-wheel-drive vehicles were key in shaping Chevrolet's brand identity in earlier years.

Under the hood is Chevrolet's 6.2-liter V8 engine, the same one used in the outgoing Corvette. In the Chevrolet SS, it's expected to crank out 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Estimates put the 0-60 mph time at about five seconds. Purists will bemoan the lack of a manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters will be the only option.

An aluminum hood, rear deck lid and engine block help to keep the car light. A MacPherson suspension up front and a multi-link setup in back aim to keep the Chevrolet SS firmly planted. Chevrolet claims a near 50/50 weight distribution, a claim all-too-often reserved for luxury sportscars like BMW. The Chevrolet SS will ride on 19-inch alloy wheels with Bridgestone summer tires and big Brembo brakes.

The Chevrolet SS will be built in Australia on GM's global Zeta platform, and is largely based on the Holden Commodore, which is built in the same assembly plant for the Australian market.

Size-wise, the Chevrolet SS is 195.5 inches long and 74.7 inches wide, slightly larger than the Malibu, and shorter (but wider) than current-generation Impala, the latter of which was the last model to feature a variant with an SS badge.

Front legroom in the new SS sedan is about on par with these models at 42 inches, while the SS slightly bests both the Malibu and the Impala in rear legroom at an ample 39 inches.

Standard features will include leather upholstery with an eight-way power driver's seat, air conditioning, color display screen, color head-up display, 9-speaker Bose audio system, rearview camera and GM's MyLink infotainment system. Several electronic safety features also come standard, including lane departure warning, blind spot detection, forward collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert and an automatic parking assist system.

The 2014 Chevrolet SS goes on sale fourth quarter of 2013, according to Chevrolet. The 2014 Chevrolet SS will retail for $44,470, including $995 destination, Chevrolet said, and the only options will be a power sunroof ($900) and a full-size spare tire ($500).

07/24/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Toyota Highlander

An all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander was unveiled at the March 2013 New York International Auto Show. When it hits dealer showrooms in early 2014, this third-generation three-row crossover utility vehicle will have more passenger and cargo capacity than the 2013 model and an array of state-of-the-art technologies in a longer, lower, wider restyled body.

The new rear liftgate on the 2014 Highlander opens and closes at the touch of a button with driver selectable memory height settings. Visibility is improved with repositioned A-pillars (between the windshield and front side windows) and larger rear quarter glass. The cabin is expected to be quieter due to extensive noise, vibration and harshness countermeasures including an acoustic windshield, better body sealing, more insulation in the floor and strategic placement of the three hydraulic engine mounts.

The new interior will offer more room for seven or eight passengers, premium materials throughout and more standard comfort, convenience and technology features. All 2014 Highlander models will have a soft-touch instrument panel, a Multi-Information Display in the instrument cluster, silver-painted, satin, and chrome-plated accents and wood-grain trim on the front dash and doors. Available upgrades will include perforated leather-trim seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and ambient lighting.

The second row offers either a three-passenger bench or a pair of captain’s chairs with a collapsible tray and cup holders. The 40/60 second-row bench slides forward to provide nearly three more inches for easier access to the 40/60 split third-row, which now reclines and gets 4.3 inches additional width. Cargo space behind the third-row is also up by 34 percent.

Additional features available for the 2014 Highlander include Auto Cruise Control, Smart Key, automatic high beams, driver’s seat memory, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s seats and a heated steering wheel.

As before, the 2014 Toyota Highlander will offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Three powertrains will be available. The standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder will be teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The optional 3.5-liter V6 drives through a new 6-speed automatic that can be shifted manually to enhance driving control and enjoyment. Both engines have dual Variable-Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and a variable intake manifold for improved efficiency.

The third available powertrain is Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which pairs the 3.5-liter V6 with a high-torque electric motor-generator for additional power and fuel efficiency.

Dynamic capability is enhanced through suspension improvements, electric power steering and available Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which automatically transfers up to 50 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels when accelerating or when sensors detect wheel slippage. The system uses information from various sensors (speed, steering angle and speed, throttle angle and yaw rate) to govern the amount of torque transfer, while a high-speed interactive management system coordinates its control with the Vehicle Stability Control and Electric Power Steering systems.

All 2014 Highlanders will come with Toyota’s Entune multimedia system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and voice recognition, while an Entune app suite with an eight-inch touchscreen and JBL speakers will be available. A Rear Seat Entertainment system with inputs at the rear of the center console will also be available.

In addition, the 2014 Highlander will come standard with a rearview camera, Hill-start Assist and Toyota's Star Safety System, which includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, an Anti-lock Braking System, Smart Stop Technology and eight airbags. Newly available safety and convenience features include rear parking sonar, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Departure Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and a Pre-collision System.

Pricing has not been announced, but we are guessing it will be similar to that of the outgoing model, starting just under $30,000 and topping out in the low $40,000s.

07/23/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Volkswagen Golf

An all-new Volkswagen Golf goes on sale in the U.S. sometime in early to mid 2014 as either a 2014 or 2015 model. Three-door and five-door versions will be available, and a sporty GTI version will be offered.

While mainstream American buyers have tended to focus on Japanese compacts like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, a small but dedicated group of loyalists have long insisted the real benchmark comes to us from across the Atlantic.

While the Volkswagen Golf is a best-seller in much of the world in the U.S. it has long taken a backseat to the four-door Passat, reflecting the American ambivalence towards hatchbacks. But if our first look at the seventh-generation Golf during its debut at the Paris Motor Show is any indication it's destined to gain a larger following once it rolls into U.S. showrooms in early 2014.

The new Golf is 2.2-inches longer than the current Gen-6 hatchback, 0.5-inches wider and an inch lower. Those numbers, aided by some creative engineering on the new model, will yield increases in both front and rear shoulder, leg and elbow room and about an extra cubic foot of cargo space in back.

The Gen-7 Golf also follows an increasingly common pattern among manufacturers to shed weight wherever possible, mass being the enemy of both mileage and performance, as any good automotive engineer will explain. Considering the diminutive size of the Golf, losing 220 pounds compared to the outgoing model is no small feat. One reason is the increased use of high-strength steel, which has gone from 6 percent to 28 percent of the total steel used in the new Golf.

Also in keeping with industry trends, the little hatchback will deliver the sort of interior refinement you might have expected in a larger and more expensive model, such as the midsize VW Passat, just a few years ago. That means more soft-touch materials on the doors and instrument panel, for example, more richly grained plastics with sporty aluminum accents, and optional leather seating.

The European models shown in Paris were reasonably well-outfitted, as buyers there tend to see compact models as their family cars. So, to hold down costs, VW will likely have a shorter list of standard features here and plenty more options that could include adaptive cruise control, an auto park system and navigation. The base car will feature a 5.8-inch LCD display but that gets upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with navi.

Volkswagen officials have promised to upgrade the safety of the new Golf because the current model falls short of the coveted 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Not only has the maker beefed up the chassis with high-strength steel, but it will add a number of new safety features. Europeans will got a new system designed to automatically brake the Golf if the driver fails to react to an obstacle ahead. Considering the way U.S. insurance companies are praising that technology expect it to be offered as an option here, as well.

On the powertrain side, we expect similar engines to what we have today, including the base 2.5-liter 170-horsepower package and the GTI's 200-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder. And considering the growing demand, VW promises to maintain a diesel for the U.S. market, as well. 6-speed automatic transmissions are also likely, with 5- or 6-speed manuals depending on the model.

A high-performance 2.0-liter Golf R is also expected to follow, perhaps a year after the initial Golf VII launch.

As for fuel economy, VW has lagged the pack, except when it comes to the diesel. Don't be surprised if the new generation delivers numbers topping 40 mpg on the highway thanks to improvements in aerodynamics and powertrain, as well as the vehicle's lighter weight.

While pricing won't be finalized until closer to launch, we anticipate something close to today's numbers, starting at $18,790, though VW will likely add a bit to cover new hardware and software systems.

Will the five-door finally get its due? American buyers are slowly warming to hatchbacks considering their functionality and more modern looks and if anything could convince buyers to give one a try, the upcoming Golf VII looks likely to turn the trick.

07/22/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Lexus IS

When you're a luxury car brand trying to make it in the ultra-competitive sport compact segment, you can't afford to rest on your laurels. Especially if you aren't German.

Nobody knows this better than Lexus. New for the 2014 model year is the latest iteration of the Lexus IS, the sporty sedan that's all too often dismissed as a runner-up to the BMW 3 Series. With a bold new look, sharper driving dynamics and the bevy of electronics that we've come to expect in new luxury cars, the 2014 Lexus IS holds its own on winding roads and racetracks alike.

Most noticeably, the new third-generation Lexus IS adopts the hourglass-shaped front spindle grille that first debuted on the latest-generation GS flagship, and which is, for better or worse, becoming a signature styling cue across the entire Lexus family. The Lexus IS is further differentiated by new LED daytime running lights akin to angular Nike swooshes that sit below the headlamp cluster.

Beneath the sheet metal, the 2014 Lexus IS is built on a new, rear-wheel-drive platform. The chassis has been strengthened with additional bracing and other technologies like adhesive bonding (also used on the Lexus LS), which in total make the 2014 Lexus IS more than 20 pounds lighter than the old model.

Suspension has been redesigned for 2014 for added stiffness and reduced body roll. A new multi-link rear setup not only keeps the car more planted, but, according to Lexus engineers, it allows for a bigger trunk (which is curious, considering cargo space in the new IS has shrunk). Updates have also been made to the all-electric power steering, including a revised gear ratio and improved steering feel. Brakes are still four-wheel discs, and have been tweaked for better performance.

Under the hood, the 2014 Lexus IS 250 is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine that makes 204 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It's good for an estimated 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds and gets an unofficial manufacturer-estimated 21/30 mpg city/highway on RWD models and 20/27 mpg on AWD models. That's nearly identical to the outgoing model's EPA ratings of 21/30 mpg for RWD and 21/27 mpg for AWD.

2014 Lexus IS 350 models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 306 hp and 277 lb.-ft., with a track-worthy 0-60 mph time of only 5.6 seconds. Preliminary fuel economy estimates are 19/28 mpg city/highway with RWD and 19/26 mpg with AWD, one mile per gallon in city driving compared to the official EPA estimates for the outgoing IS 350.

A hybrid version of the IS is available in Europe and Japan, but Lexus has no plans to bring it to the U.S.

Toyota's 6-speed automatic transmission carries over on IS 250 models and the IS 350 AWD. The IS 350 gets the 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission found on the current-generation IS-F performance sedan. Lexus dumped the manual transmission available on the last generation, and one marketing exec proclaimed that manuals are dead, arguing that lightening-fast shift times and predictive ability of electronics systems make old-fashioned gear-rowing obsolete.

For now, the IS-F performance sedan remains unchanged, and carries over with the previous body style.

Interior updates include a new instrument panel design, including a revised climate control panel that uses electrostatic controls for the temperature. On cars with the F-Sport package, a cool TFT display from the IS-F replaces the standard instrument cluster in front of the driver. Standard upholstery is NuLuxe polyurethane, which interior designers say holds its shape over time better than leather. Leather is optional.

Competitors to the 2014 Lexus IS include the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, although one could argue these are different animals in the same zoo. The C-Class is a more relaxed luxurious cruiser, whereas the BMW remains a true driver's car, provided the driver knows what she's doing. The Cadillac ATS is a new, but worthy challenger.

07/21/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2013 Lincoln MKZ

An all-new 2013 Lincoln MKZ enters the midsize luxury segment later this year. Calling it a milestone in the brand's reinvention, Lincoln revealed the new MKZ at the April 2012 New York International Auto Show.

When it set out to design a replacement for its midsize MKZ, Lincoln knew it needed to break with the past. But the design sitting in stylist Max Woolf's studio just didn't seem to come together. Not until he had the almost heretical idea of abandoning Lincoln's classic waterfall grille.

The new, horizontal look was influenced, says Woolfe, by an eagle's out-stretched wings, one of the most dramatic design elements on the all-new 2013 Lincoln MKZ. The other eye-catching feature is the all-glass retractable roof. It's a concept far beyond the oversized panoramic sunroofs that have become popular these days, turning the MKZ sedan into an instant convertible.

Lincoln clearly needs to break new ground to revive its once-vaunted reputation. These days, potential buyers more likely recognize the slab-sided '65 Continental on the HBO series Entourage than the latest Lincoln sedans. But the MKZ is a stunning achievement that won't get lost in the crowd.

Significantly, while sharing its underlying architecture with the 2013 Ford Fusion, there are no common body panels, a break from recent Lincoln strategy helping justify its premium price tag. Like Fusion, and other current Lincoln sedans, the 2013 MKZ retains a front-wheel-drive layout.

Under the skin, the new Lincoln MKZ features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-4 replacing the old 3.5-liter V6 and, while delivering more muscle, will boost fuel economy by as much as 6 mpg. The target is an EPA-rated 27 mpg Combined. A hybrid-electric version, akin to the one in the new Fusion, will push the mileage number to 47 mpg, which would mean a midsize Lincoln delivering about 4 mpg more than the latest-generation Toyota Camry Hybrid.

For the moment, there is no talk of also adding a plug-in hybrid, as the Ford side will get with the Fusion Energi, but the driveline could readily fit into the MKZ should Lincoln decide to go there, as well.

While exterior styling and fuel economy are two of the most important factors when it comes to getting a motorist into a new vehicle, interior design plays a key role in maintaining customer satisfaction. The new Lincoln MKZ will feature a design strongly influenced, according to Woolf, by suspension bridge design, most obvious in the form of the floating center console which adds a layer of additional storage underneath.

With its elegant, high-gloss finish, the center stack wraps around a large touch screen display which operates many key vehicle functions, though Ford engineers and designers have this time struck a careful balance to ensure that those buttons and switches a driver frequently accesses are back on the display's surround so you don't have to wade through several distracting menus to, say, adjust the interior temperature.

The main gauges, visible through the steering wheel, are actually part of a 10-inch-wide reconfigurable LCD. But the concept and production car both place another layer of acrylic rings over the key instruments, the speedometer and tach, to give the gauges a three-dimensional look

07/20/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

After months of rumors and delays, Fiat unveiled the rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeo 4C at the March 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C will go on sale at U.S. Fiat dealerships late this year, according to the Chrysler Group. A small two-seater built around a carbon fiber tub, the lightweight 4C is about the same length as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but nearly a foot wider.

First appearing as a concept car at the 2011 Geneva auto show, the production version of the 4C has changed very little. Design elements evoke Alfas of decades past, including the 33 Stradale, which upon its debut in 1968 was the world's most expensive road car (to the tune of $17,000). While some gush over the 4C's exotic looks, others snarl at its bug-eyes and long, V-shaped snout. The Italian delicacy will be produced at the Maserati plant in Modena.

The 4C name, which harkens back to prewar Alfas, stands for four-cylinder. The mid-mounted 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine is direct injected turbocharged. Alfa Romeo suggests it makes over 240 horsepower. Saying the 4C will weigh less than 1,875 pounds, Fiat officials are saying the car will have a power-to weight ratio of 8.8 pounds per horsepower. That bests the oft-praised, erstwhile Lotus Elise SC's 9.2 pounds per horse with its curb weight of 2,012 pounds and its supercharged, 218-hp Toyota engine. The base Mazda MX-5 Miata, meanwhile, gets a relatively uninspiring PTW ratio of 14.8 pounds with the soft top. Then again, the Miata is less than half the price. The Alfa Romeo 4C will be capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The mid-mounted engine allows a weight distribution of 40 percent over the front wheels, 60 percent over the rear, specifications that suggest lively handling. The suspension uses double wishbone in front, McPherson strut in the rear.

A dry dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters will be the only option on the Alfa Romeo 4C, and will allow the driver to switch between different modes including Natural, Dynamic, All-Weather and Race.

We don't know much about the interior or standard features yet, but we do know the small cockpit will feature two bucket seats and exposed carbon fiber trim.

Fiat Group says the 4C will go on sale in the U.S. by the end of the year. Only 1,000 units will make it to America, and Fiat dealers will have to fiercely compete to get the 4C on their lots. Pricing hasn't been announced, but estimates in the U.K. put the car starting at £40,000, or about $62,000.

07/20/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Audi RS 7

A new Audi RS 7, a high-performance version of the big, swoopy A7 four-door coupe, goes on sale this fall. The 2014 Audi RS 7 Sportback unveiled at the 2013 Detroit North American Auto Show will be the highest-performing, sexiest looking (and therefore most rare and expensive) non-sports car Audi offers.

The German upscale automaker's naming practice for passenger cars is pretty straightforward. Audi model names run from the A3 hatchback at the bottom to the A8 large luxury sedan at the top, with the higher odd numbers (A5 and A7) the sexier fastbacks that the Germans like to call four-door coupes. (Traditionally, coupes have just two doors.) Substituting an S for the A, the Audi S7, for example, designates higher-performance sport models. The addition of an R before the S signifies the very hottest of those. Hence, the RS 7 is at the top in terms of performance attributes.

Developed by quattro GmbH, Audi's performance division, RS models are thoroughly track tested, including 5,000 miles of flat-out running by Audi engineers and race drivers at Germany's legendary Nurburgring race course to achieve the maximum possible levels of performance and durability.

The 2014 Audi RS 7 will be powered by a 4.0-liter TFSI (Turbocharged Fuel Straight Injected) V8 producing 560 hp and capable of propelling it from rest to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 3.9 seconds and to a (governor deactivated) top speed of nearly 190 mph. Yet Audi says it will also be capable of delivering fuel efficiency in the 24-mpg range.

The twin-turbo V8 develops an awesome 553 pound-feet of torque between 1750 and 5500 rpm. Its cylinder heads are the opposite of normal industry practice, with their intake manifolds on the outside of the cylinder banks and their exhausts on the inside, directly feeding the two twin-scroll intercooled turbochargers for near-instantaneous response. Top speed is 155 mph in standard configuration, 174 mph with an optional Dynamic Package, or that potential 190 mph with a Dynamic Package Plus.

The engine's innovative efficiency technology features the Cylinder on Demand system, which deactivates cylinders two, three, five and eight (by closing their valves via electromechanical actuators) to let it operate as a 2.0-liter four-cylinder at low to medium engine speeds and loads. Audi says it can increase fuel efficiency by five to 10 percent.

The standard Tiptronic 8-speed automatic, specially tuned for the RS 7, will let you choose between D (Drive) and S (Sport) modes, or you can shift yourself with the selector lever or steering wheel shift paddles.

Also standard is Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive, which uses a high-locking-rate center differential and a separate oil cooler. It distributes torque as needed between the front and rear axles within a wide range, with 60 percent rear/40 percent front the standard configuration. Intelligent torque vectoring applies light braking to the unloaded wheels at the cornering limit, and an optional sport rear differential uses two super-position gears to actively distribute power between the wheels.

Audi RS 7's electronic stabilization control (ESC) has a Sport mode, and it can be deactivated for track driving. Standard wheels are 20-inch polished forged aluminum, while optional 21-inch cast aluminum wheels are available in a choice of three designs.

Adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.79 in) to reduce drag and improve handling at highways speeds. Adaptive damping adjusts the suspension’s response to the road condition, the driver’s style and the mode selected in the Audi drive select system.

Dynamics-enhancing options include a taut Sport Suspension Plus with steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers and Dynamic Steering with steplessly variable boost and ratio.

The 2014 Audi RS 7 is expected to go on sale Fall 2013. We can only guess at the price, which we are expecting somewhere around $110,000 to $125,000.

07/19/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Chevrolet is the first American car company to bet on diesel in the U.S. with the debut of the Chevrolet Cruze Diesel at the Chicago Auto Show.

Classified as a compact car (but fitting size-wise between a compact and a midsize), the Cruze joins a small, exclusive club alongside Audi, Mazda and Volkswagen in offering smaller, diesel-powered cars for the North American market in the sub-$30,000 range.

Under the hood of the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel adapted from the version already used in European models. It makes 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds. Chevrolet eagerly points out that's more powerful than the Volkswagen Jetta TDI automatic, arguably the Cruze's closest competitor, with 115 hp and 125 lb-ft (although for the 2013 model, the Jetta starts at a few thousand dollars less). The standard transmission on the Cruze diesel will be a 6-speed automatic.

Fuel economy and reduced emissions are the goal of the diesel powered-Cruze. Chevrolet says the diesel version (which accounts for 40 percent of Cruze models sold in Europe) is expected to achieve 42 mpg highway and generates around 90 percent less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions compared to previous-generation diesels. The body style will carry over from the current Cruze, which launched as an all-new sedan for the 2011 model year.

Standard features on Cruze Diesel will include those not usually seen on compact base models, including leather upholstery, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Cruise Diesel will also use Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system. Fuel economy will be enhanced by standard ultra-low-rolling resistance all-season tires, a rear spoiler and an Aero Performance Package.

The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel will be built in Lordstown, Ohio, and is expected to hit dealerships in summer 2013. Prices will start at $25,695 including an $810 destination charge. A two-year maintenance plan, will be included, as well as a five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

07/18/2013 - Nicolas Popov wrote:

2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid

The second vehicle to debut with Infiniti's new Q naming scheme, the midsize crossover previously known as the JX made its first appearance in hybrid form March 2013 at the New York International Auto Show.

Keeping the same body style of the JX that launched for 2013, the rebadged seven-seater keeps Infiniti's swoopy signature styling cues like its double-arch front grille and double-wave hood. Headlights are standard HID xenons, and foglamps come on every model. Standard wheels are 18-inch alloys, with optional 20s.

Like the JX, the QX60 hybrid will be available in either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations.

Power for the 2014 Infiniti QX60 hybrid comes from a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a 15 kW electric motor, the same used in Infiniti's M35h hybrid flagship sedan. Together, they're good for 250 net horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque.

Official fuel economy estimates haven't been released, but Infiniti expects a driving range of about 500 miles on one tank of fuel, and an EPA Combined rating of 26 mpg. By comparison, the non-hybrid JX35 rates 24 mpg Combined with front-wheel-drive models, and 23 mpg Combined with all-wheel-drive.

Typically, the giant battery packs used in hybrid and electric vehicles sacrifice interior space compared to their non-electrified counterparts. In this case, Infiniti engineers managed to squeeze the lithium-ion battery pack under the third-row seat without affecting cargo or passenger capacity.

Standard features are on par for a luxury crossover and include leather upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control with air purifier, 8-way power driver's seat, 6-way power passenger's seat, heated front seats, a 60/40-split folding second row bench, a 40/50-split folding third-row seat, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a rearview camera, a 7-inch color information display and a 15-speaker Bose audio system with satellite radio capability.

Options include a bevy of electronic systems such as remote start, a 360-degree camera with object detection, backup collision intervention (which will stop the vehicle automatically if someone or something crosses its path), lane departure warning and lane departure prevention, blind spot warning and intervention, full-speed radar-based cruise control (which can stop the vehicle if a collision is imminent), and intelligent brake assist with forward collision warning.

The Infiniti QX60 hybrid is slated to arrive in dealerships in late summer of 2013. For the 2014 model year, all JX models will switch to the new QX60 name. Official pricing hasn't been announced, but Infiniti says the hybrid will be priced at $3,000 above the traditional gasoline model. With the current JX35 starting at $41,250, that puts the QX60 hybrid in the neighborhood of $45,000.

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