Monthly Archives: August 2019
Honda Fits 2020 Honda Civic Si With More Updates Ahead of Sept 6 Sale
Japanese automaker Honda is giving its famed Civic Si more exterior updates, faster acceleration, safety features, and 18-inch matte black wheels. The coupe and sedan versions will go on sale on September 6.
Exterior Styling
The 2020 Civic Si is now equipped with lower-bumper fog lights that have now been turned into LED units. They are also encased in gloss-black surrounds and has a body-color crossbar. The grille crossbar has also been updated. It is narrower than before. Both the Coupe and Sedan versions will enjoy LED headlights that have wider and longer light beams.
At the back, the Si sedan will have body-color inserts at the sides of the bumper while the Sedan and Coupe will enjoy 18-inch matte black wheels wrapped in all-season tires.
Interior Upgrades
Inside, the sport seats have been upgraded with red accents on the bottom and backs. There’s also a new red trim that highlights the instrument panel. These are all updates from the 2019 model changes that included an updated audio display system with physical buttons and volume knob, as well as larger cupholders.
Acceleration Tweak
The 2020 Honda Civic Si has the same 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four unit that produces 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Again, that engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The only thing updated performance-wise in the 2020 Civic Si model is the more responsive acceleration. The 2020’s final-drive ratio is shorter by 6%, which means better acceleration.
Also, all trim levels of the Sedan and Coupe will get as standard safety and driver-assist features such as automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation braking. There’s also the Active Sound Control, so the engine sounds a lot more powerful during aggressive driving.
The Sedan and Coupe versions have a starting price of $25,930 including destination. That’s a $700 increase from the 2019 model.
The 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant Has Almost 600HP And Will Come To The US
There’s something about Audi and their high-performance wagon that just gets us all excited. The 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant wagon is coming to America, so that makes it all the more exciting. The wagon has a claimed 0-60 acceleration time of less than 3.6 seconds and the engine it comes packed with can produce 591 horsepower.
The 2020 RS 6 Avant is a fourth-generation model that aims to give a shoutout to the original RS formula founded in the 1990s. This is the most aggressive-looking RS wagon ever to come out of Audi’s factories. It has sporty front and rear design elements that would surely be a win to a lot of Audi fans.
Under the hood, the Audi RS 6 Avant has a muscular 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 unit that generates 40 horsepower more than its previous iteration. It comes with 590 pound-feet of torque from 2,100 rpm to 4,500 rpm. That’s an increase of 74 pound-feet. Aside from its famed acceleration time, Audi said the new RS 6 Avant will hit the top speed of 124 mph in just 12 seconds.
Audi also fitted the RS 6 Avant with a mild-hybrid engine. Its 48-volt alternator starter system can store up to 12 kW of electrical energy. It can power the engine to speeds up to 14 mph and coast the road for 40 seconds with the engine shut down and at speeds between 35 mph and 100 mph if the driver decides to lift off the throttle. The engine is paired with an all-wheel-drive system and sports an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant, the first model of which was launched in 2002, is 3.15 inches wider than the standard A6 Avant and 0.8 inches wider than the previous RS 6 Avant. The new model has a wider track and massive 21-inch wheels, though buyers can opt for 22 inches.
US customers have to wait a while longer as the RS 6 Avant will arrive here in the third quarter of next year.
Ford Comes Out With FX2 Package For The Rear-Wheel-Drive Ranger
The days are gone when customers will buy a pickup truck because they need it to haul items to and from the farm. Trucks are not used today for their intended purpose. They are used as everyday cars, which is such a bummer because their four-wheel-drive iterations are made to carry heavy loads and off-road tracks.
Alas, what car manufacturers did was to create a two-wheel-drive pickup truck that customers can use for their everyday driving to and from work. But it didn’t make the buyers happy at all. They want the aesthetics of the car to be like that of the standard pick-up truck, so they opt for the Sport Appearance Package, the Chrome Appearance Package, and the STX Appearance Package.
What Ford now is to create the FX2 Package. It’s similar to the FX4 Package which Ford created for the all-wheel-drive Ranger. According to Brian Bell, Ford’s marketing manager, the FX2 Package “expands [the] Ranger’s options for customers who want tough, off-road style with the functionality of a locking differential but don’t need four-wheel drive.”
The package costs $595. It gets you 17-inch Hankook Dynapro ATM off-road tires, off-road suspension, a front underbody guard, and an electronic locking rear differential. In the cabin, the instrument cluster now has an off-road screen that displays information on pitch, roll, and steering angles. Standard to the package is the 17-inch tires, but buyers can opt for the 18-inch version.
Ford’s decision to offer such a package comes after Chevy’s Colorado Z71 with rear-wheel-drive and Toyota’s Tacoma TRD.
Currently, the standard Ford Ranger is being offered in three variants—the XL, XLT, and Lariat. It is powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that generates 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Buyers can get the Ranger in either a rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configuration.
There’s A New McLaren Hypercar Under Ultimate Series
McLaren confirmed that a new hypercar is in the works. The upcoming McLaren hypercar, which will launch in 2020, will be a part of the Ultimate Series lineup and could take on the GT Superlight name. There will only be 399 units produced.
McLaren introduced the new design of the hypercar through a teaser image during the Pebble Beach Concors d’Elegance. The hypercar will have an open top and is described as a two-seater open-cockpit roadster. It will sit low with only a minor lip to act as a windscreen. It’ll come with contoured flanks and dihedral doors.
The new hypercar is scheduled to slot between the Senna and the soon-to-be-released Speedtail in terms of price. The Senna will cost buyers £750,000 ($910,293.75) while the Speedtail will set you back by £2.1 million ($2.548 million).
The Senna was built for outright track performance while the Speedtail is presumably a vehicle that focuses on providing aerodynamic features and outright top speed. This third vehicle in the Ultimate Series lineup is fitted for the road so it’s unlikely that you’ll see this on the track.
Reports said that the new hypercar will be fitted with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that’s also used in the Senna and the upcoming Speedtail. That engine is expected to be utilized for the entire lineup.
As for the power output, the supposedly GT Superlight will make 789 horsepower (the same as the Senna). The engine will be paired with a rear-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutchbox transmission.
McLaren is committed to using its famed carbon-fiber chassis for the new hypercar. Supposedly, it is going to be the lightest car McLaren has ever produced during the McLaren Automotive era, pegged to be 2010 onwards. This means that the body will be made out of carbon fiber, too.
The company didn’t say when the GT Superlight hypercar will be released to the market.
Subaru WRX, BRZ Get Updates and Price Bumps For 2020 Model
The Subaru WRX and BRZ, the brand’s two performance models, got significant updates and price bumps for the 2020 model year.
The 2020 Subaru WRX now has the EyeSight safety suite as standard on models that are equipped with the CVT. Pricing for the base WRX will now start at $28,395, up by $315 from last year’s model. That comes with the standard six-speed manual transmission.
If you want the CVT, you need to get the Premium trim that’s priced at $32,595. If you want more aesthetic and aggressive appeal, buyers can get the Performance package (exclusive to the Premium trim with the six-speed manual) that now has Brembo brakes on all four corners and Recaro-branded eight-way power-adjustable sport seats.
There’s only one engine available: a 268-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-four unit.
The Subaru WRX STI is the more powerful variant. It has a keyless entry and start, redesigned engine bay cooling ducts in the front bumper, and 19-inch alloy wheels in dark gray. The price for the base STI trim starts at $37,895 and $42,595 for the WRX STI Limited. The latter gets a Harman Kardon audio system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, Recaro front seats, and embedded navigation.
The only engine available for the WRX STI is a 2.5-liter turbo-four that makes 310 horsepower. This is paired to a six-speed manual transmission.
Meanwhile, the Subaru BRZ starts at $29,745. For the 2020 model year, there will be no more Premium trim. The Limited will be the base model instead and it comes standard with Starlink infotainment system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, embedded navigation, heated front seats, two USB ports, and full LED headlights.
You can choose the six-speed automatic transmission for an additional of $1,100. Buyers can still opt for the Performance package to the BRZ six-speed manual, which brings Sachs Performance shock absorbers, dark gray 17-inch alloy wheels, and Brembo brakes in all four corners for $1,195.
All-Electric Porsche Taycan Teases Interior Ahead of Official Launch
The 2020 Porsche Taycan will make its official debut during the Frankfurt Motor Show, but the luxury carmaker already gave us a glimpse of its stunning interior.
The Taycan will be the brand’s first all-electric vehicle when it goes on sale in 2020. It will compete directly with the Tesla Model S. In this series of images, the German automaker gave us a glimpse of its elegant and much-talked-about interior, which the dashboard dominates.
This will be the first vehicle—even among its luxury-car contemporaries—to have a fully integrated Apple Music into its infotainment system. Because of this, its infotainment system will host a range of features and functions never before seen on other vehicles. The car’s voice control function was reconfigured to allow drivers to search for songs, albums, and playlists on their Apple Music accounts. Think Siri, but now you’re using Porsche’s technology.
All Taycans will have a free six-month subscription to Apple Music and also a complimentary three-year roaming internet connection. Buyers will get access to Apple Music playlists that are specially curated by Porsche for Taycan owners. To get more of this music experience, the Taycan is fitted with high-quality Burmester surround sound system as an option.
Earlier prototypes showed the Taycan will have a freestanding digital instrument display and a large infotainment screen, which is similar to the 10.1-inch display used on Audi cars. The same features should be found on the production-ready version of the car. Once Porsche decides to release a less restrictive set of images, we can expect to find a small toggle-style gear selector and a second touchscreen display for the center console. This will likely be used for the climate control system.
Although Porsche hasn’t given the exact specifications of the Taycan, the range-topping electric variants should come with two electric motors that will produce over 600 horsepower. Its lithium-ion battery aims to give 310 miles on a single charge.
Infiniti QX55 Will Take A Shot At X4, GLC Coupe
Infiniti announced that it has a new vehicle in its lineup and that it will hopefully give the BMW X4 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe a run for their money. Called the Infiniti QX55, this is a coupe variant of the recently released QX50.
The SUV coupe is one of the fastest-growing segments in the auto industry, so it seems like Infiniti is trying to get a chunk of that market.
It was in 2017 the last time Infiniti had a coupe-like crossover. That’s the final year of the QX70, which was formerly named Infiniti FX. First introduced in 2003, the Infiniti FX used to be a rear-drive-based five-seat luxury crossover that uses the same platform in vehicles such as the Infiniti Q50, Q60, and the Nissan 370Z.
The first-generation Infiniti FX came with a 3.5-liter V-6 unit in the FX35 variant or a 4.5-liter V-8 in the FX45. Both variants send the power to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The QX70, which was the second-generation FX, had under its hood the more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 and a 5.0-liter V-8. The latter replaced the 4.5-liter unit. For the 2014 model year, a 3.7-liter engine replaced the 3.5-liter unit. This was also around the time when the FX was renamed to QX70.
A teaser for the QX55 shows that the new Infiniti coupe will have a fastback roofline instead of the conventional hatch we see on the FX/QX70. It may be heavily influenced by sedans when it comes to its silhouette and the greenhouse appears to be narrow on the teaser, too.
The company failed to say when it expects the QX55 to make its debut. Maybe we can see it during the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It will go on sale next year’s summer. Infiniti has yet to release the pricing details, but this should be pricier than the QX50.
2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Adds Another Manual Gearbox
Honda is adding a manual transmission option for its 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring trim. The manual transmission was offered only for the Sport trim before. If you’re a fan of a manual gearbox, you’re in for luck because this also means that the option will be priced much less than the CVT.
The six-speed manual transmission will be an option along with a CVT. It costs $800 less than the automatic transmission option. Aside from that, the Sport Touring trim also gets better LED headlights that throw longer and wider beams. It also now has the HomeLink Wireless Control System that can activate devices such as garage doors, RF-controlled lighting, gates, and locks.
Remote start and keyless entry will come standard even on the CVT on the Sport Touring and Sport trim. On the Sport model, the infotainment system added a seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The number of speakers has also been doubled from four to eight on the current models.
The Civic Hatchback received upgrades for the 2020 model year. it adopted the same features as the sedan and the coupe, which received some upgrades last year. However, the new model has sharper bumpers and body-colored crossbars on the front and rear end. It has revised fog light surrounds, black headlight trim, and new wheels in either dark gray or black.
The cabin’s instrument panels look different depending on the trim levels. The LX and EX have a painted pattern. The Sport has geometric shapes. The EX-L and Sport Touring went with brushed black surfacing. The EX has an eight-way adjustable driver’s seat standard equipment and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. All models have better noise-quelling features.
Prices went slightly up. The LX is now priced at $22,580 (up by $200) for the CVT while the Sport costs $23,680 for the 6MT and $24,480 for the CVT. The EX is priced at $25,080 for the CVT and the EX-L is for $26,280 for the CVT. The Sport Touring will cost $28,980 for the 6MT and $29,780 for the CVT.
4 Questions You Need To Ask About The 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet
Convertible SUVs are not too popular these days. There’s a plunge in the demand for them but fortunately, you can still get your hands on one if you want to. German automaker Volkswagen came up with the new T-Roc Cabriolet, a high-riding compact car with a drop-top.
Why Make The T-Roc A Convertible?
VW already axed the Eos, the Golf Cabriolet, and the Beetle Cabriolet. This means there’s room in its lineup for a small drop-top convertible. What you get when you mix that gap with the need for a crossover is the T-Roc Cabriolet.
The brand also needs at least one convertible in its range so the T-Roc will be the only convertible in the VW lineup for the foreseeable future. It looks the same as the regular five-door T-Roc except that it has a soft drop-top, a raked windscreen, and only two larger doors.
Should You Get The VW T-Roc?
Absolutely! This is the first crossover cabriolet in the compact segment. If that seems to be a lot of combination, just think about this: it combines an extroverted design with the raised seating that’s characteristic of an SUV. The trunk isn’t as big as the regular T-Roc crossover but the 284 liters are just enough. When the soft top comes down, that capacity decreases to just 161 liters.
Speaking of the drop-top, it folds electronically at speeds of 30 km/h or 19 mph. The shape is alike the top created for the Golf Convertible.
What Platform Is Used For The T-Roc Cabriolet?
The drop-top version of the regular T-Roc used the same MQB platform that underpins everything from the Audi A1 to the Passat. The structural rigidity of the car, however, was affected because of the drop-top. VW said it used four cross braces and a front cross strut in key areas to make the car sturdier.
When Will The T-Roc Cabriolet Be Available In The Market?
The T-Roc will officially be revealed at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show on September 12 to 22. The market debut should be sometime in the spring of 2020. There are two packs that buyers can choose from: Style will include color themes for the interior, standard mood lighting, and 17-inch rims with a distinctive lacquered finish while the R-Line adds standard fog lights and sports seats for a sporty look.
2019 Honda Jazz Hybrid Is Going To Look Like A Mini SUV
Big changes in the auto industry—both on how cars look and perform now—prompted Honda to give its much-loved small car lineup a needed boost. Everything will start with the best-selling Honda Jazz, which will get a hybrid engine and a more rugged and aggressive look.
This fourth-generation Jazz will be revealed when the model takes center stage at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. Although Honda plans to electrify its range, the new Jazz will still be hybrid only.
The Jazz has always been known for its upright MPV-like appearance, but it looks like that’s about to change. The new Jazz shall give mini SUVs a run for their money since it will look like a shortened version of a sports utility vehicle. Think SEAT Arona and Citroen C3 Aircross. That’s how the Jazz is going to look like.
This means that the front end will have larger and bolder headlamp units and grille, a front bumper finished in black around the lower edges, roof rails as standard, and wheel arch cladding covered in dark trim.
Around the back, the taillights now support horizontal units that sit just below the rear window. The hatch will cut deep into the back bumper, which is the same with previous models. This design intends to allow Jazz owners to load heavier and bulkier items into the car.
Overall, the Jazz will measure four meters long, the same as other conventional superminis in the market. It’s not too far off from the current model.
However, the new Jazz is going to use a new platform, too. This architecture will allow the car to be more practical in design and performance. It will also accommodate the advanced hybrid technology Honda is considering itself to be a pioneer.
The current Jazz is already pretty impressive inside but the new-generation model will feature a large infotainment screen with dials below for climate control functions.
