Car Care/Ownership
- Tiger Woods Unveils Buick Enclave
- Bluetec Diesel Comes to USA
- Jaguar Announces XF Sedan
- Kia Rio Wins Two Top Editor Awards
- Lincoln Debuts Crossover MKX
- Jaguar XK Wins Consumer Award
- Merecedes GL Named Top SUV
- Mazda CX7 Earns Top Safety Ratings
- GM Leads in Fuel Efficiency
- Saab Debuts First SUV: 9-7 Aero
Tiger Woods Unveils Buick Enclave
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
The Enclave is Buick’s first luxury crossover SUV. It is built on an all-new crossover architecture and motivated by one of GM’s most powerful V-6 engines ever.
Tiger Woods, the world’s top-ranked professional golfer, took a different approach to his drive today. He literally drove Buick’s newest product, the 2008 Buick Enclave luxury crossover SUV, through a large 35-ft. video wall with GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner passenger side.
Wagoner and Woods introduced the all-new Enclave to a standing-room only crowd of media and Buick dealers at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, one of the world’s most prestigious art and design schools.
This is the first time Buick has partnered with Woods for a vehicle world introduction. Buick has enjoyed a long partnership with Woods as a product endorser since 2000.
“The new Buick Enclave is just beautiful to look at inside and out,” said Tiger Woods. “The interior is so comfortable and there’s plenty of room for my sticks. I’m really excited for Buick and what the all-new Enclave means for the division and GM.”
The Enclave is Buick’s first luxury crossover SUV. It is built on an all-new crossover architecture and motivated by one of GM’s most powerful V-6 engines ever.
The Enclave creates its own niche in the fast-growing crossover market by melding elegant interior and exterior design and a confident ride in a quiet, well-crafted roomy cabin capable of carrying up to eight passengers with space for gear. It arrives in dealer showrooms next summer.
Available in front-wheel or all-wheel drive, Enclave employs a new 275-horsepower V-6 powertrain with variable valve timing (VVT) that is mated to Buick’s first six-speed automatic transmission. The 3.6L V-6 VVT is a sophisticated dual-overhead camshaft engine that uses full four-cam phasing, rapid data processing and torque-based engine management to optimize power, economy and emissions performance.
A host of innovative features that are uncommon or unavailable in competitors’ vehicles add to the Enclave’s standout status in the segment, including a second-row seat console that unfolds to contribute to a flat load floor when the seats are folded.
Peace-of-mind features such as Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist and a rear back-up camera, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation are also available.
The Buick Enclave is the last of three new crossovers to be introduced this year from General Motors. Crossover entries accounted for about 2.5 million industry sales in 2005 and the segment is projected to grow to 3.5 million units by 2010. GM currently has seven entries in this segment – Chevy Equinox and HHR; Pontiac Torrent and Vibe; Saturn VUE, Buick Rendezvous and Cadillac SRX – and expect to double the number of crossover entries by 2010, including the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
DaimlerChrysler, AUDI and Volkswagen announced that they intend to establish the BLUETEC brand name as the designation for particularly clean, highly fuel-efficient passe
Under the shared concept of BLUETEC, each of the manufacturers involved will be working on their own technical systems for meeting the world’s most stringent emission regulations.
The latest J.D. Power study, “Global Outlook For Diesel”, predicts that the share of diesels among first-time registrations in North America will rise to over 15 percent by 2015. It is in the light of this development that Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen will be systematically expanding their ranges of diesel vehicles.
All three companies are convinced that up-to-date diesel propulsion systems play a major part in efficient and clean mobility. With their high torque, agility, economy and robustness they display all the qualities which American customers, especially, appreciate.
With their outstandingly efficient fuel consumption, which lies some 20 to 40 percent lower than that of comparable petrol engines, these particularly clean diesel engines now have the potential to comply with the toughest emission limits in the world. They combine ecology and economy with driving pleasure for the customer.
What is BLUETEC?
The name BLUETEC covers diesel engines with exhaust emission treatment systems which meet even the strictest emission regulations on the US market. The systems employed by BLUETEC serve in particular to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) - the only constituent part of the exhaust gases which, due to the design of the diesel, inherently lies above the value for petrol engines. In this way it will in future also be possible to meet the strict limits imposed by the State of California.
Depending on the vehicle class concerned, various NOx treatment systems can be used. In one version, for instance, an oxidising catalytic converter and a particulate filter are combined with a further improved, particularly long-life NOx storage converter. Another way of cutting NOx emissions is even more effective. In this case for example AdBlue, a water-based additive, is injected into the exhaust gas. This causes ammonia to be released, which in turn reduces the nitrogen oxides almost completely to harmless nitrogen and water in a downstream SCR catalytic converter.
BLUETEC is a brand of DaimlerChrysler which is already being used by the corporation’s Mercedes-Benz cars and commercial vehicles. In future the name BLUETEC will also stand for clean diesel engines from Audi, Volkswagen and Jeep® in the United States.
AUDI:
Audi stands for sportiness, progressiveness and high quality – for “Vorsprung durch Technik”. Audi currently makes the Audi A3, Audi A4 and Audi A4 Avant and the Audi S4 at its Ingolstadt plant, the Audi A6 and A6 Avant, Audi A8 and Audi RS 4 in Neckarsulm, and the TT Coupé and TT Roadster at AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. in Györ, Hungary. the Audi Q7 is built in Bratislava. The Audi product range is rounded off by the Audi A4 Cabriolet, which is made by Karman.
The new Audi R8, made by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, is the first super sports car in the Audi range. Audi stands for “Vorsprung durch Technik” (leadership by technology), and this guiding principle finds its expression in the company’s products. Prime examples of this include the quattro full-time all-wheel-drive system, aluminium bodywork (Audi Space Frame in the Audi A8 and R8), the S tronic Direct Shift Gearbox featured in the Audi TT and Audi A3, and the advanced TDI and FSI engine technology. Audi is a pioneer in diesel technology – both on the road and on the racetrack. The R10 TDI sports car was the first diesel ever to win the legendary “24 Hours of Le Mans” race and the ALMS Series in America. Audi will also be putting the world’s most powerful diesel on the road, in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI, with an output of 500 horsepower and 1000 Newton metres of torque.
DaimlerChrysler:
DaimlerChrysler is unique in the automotive business: its product range extends from ultra-compacts up to sports cars and on to luxury saloons – and from versatile small vans to classic heavy-duty trucks and comfortable touring coaches. The passenger car brands of DaimlerChrysler comprise Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and smart. Its commercial vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra, Mitsubishi Fuso, Thomas Built Buses and Orion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services offers financial services as well as other vehicle-related services.
DaimlerChrysler’s strategy is based on four pillars: excellent products offering outstanding customer orientation, leading brands, leadership in innovation and technology, and global presence and integration. DaimlerChrysler’s workforce is based all around the globe, and the same applies to its shareholders. With 382,724 employees DaimlerChrysler achieved sales totalling € 149.8 billion in 2005.
Volkswagen:
The Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and is the biggest automotive producer in Europe. Volkswagen employs nearly 345,000 people worldwide. In 2005 the Group’s eight brands delivered 5.243 million vehicles in more than 150 different countries, corresponding to a world market share for passenger cars of 9.1 percent. Group sales rose in 2005 to € 95.3 billion. In eleven European countries and in another seven countries in America, Asia and Africa the corporation operates 44 production facilities. Every working day around the world, the Group’s employees are busy building over 21,500 vehicles and providing vehicle-related services. The Volkswagen Group comprises the brands Volkswagen cars, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, commercial vehicles, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini plus, amongst other units, Volkswagen Financial Services.
The latest J.D. Power study, “Global Outlook For Diesel”, predicts that the share of diesels among first-time registrations in North America will rise to over 15 percent by 2015. It is in the light of this development that Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volkswagen will be systematically expanding their ranges of diesel vehicles.
All three companies are convinced that up-to-date diesel propulsion systems play a major part in efficient and clean mobility. With their high torque, agility, economy and robustness they display all the qualities which American customers, especially, appreciate.
With their outstandingly efficient fuel consumption, which lies some 20 to 40 percent lower than that of comparable petrol engines, these particularly clean diesel engines now have the potential to comply with the toughest emission limits in the world. They combine ecology and economy with driving pleasure for the customer.
What is BLUETEC?
The name BLUETEC covers diesel engines with exhaust emission treatment systems which meet even the strictest emission regulations on the US market. The systems employed by BLUETEC serve in particular to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) - the only constituent part of the exhaust gases which, due to the design of the diesel, inherently lies above the value for petrol engines. In this way it will in future also be possible to meet the strict limits imposed by the State of California.
Depending on the vehicle class concerned, various NOx treatment systems can be used. In one version, for instance, an oxidising catalytic converter and a particulate filter are combined with a further improved, particularly long-life NOx storage converter. Another way of cutting NOx emissions is even more effective. In this case for example AdBlue, a water-based additive, is injected into the exhaust gas. This causes ammonia to be released, which in turn reduces the nitrogen oxides almost completely to harmless nitrogen and water in a downstream SCR catalytic converter.
BLUETEC is a brand of DaimlerChrysler which is already being used by the corporation’s Mercedes-Benz cars and commercial vehicles. In future the name BLUETEC will also stand for clean diesel engines from Audi, Volkswagen and Jeep® in the United States.
AUDI:
Audi stands for sportiness, progressiveness and high quality – for “Vorsprung durch Technik”. Audi currently makes the Audi A3, Audi A4 and Audi A4 Avant and the Audi S4 at its Ingolstadt plant, the Audi A6 and A6 Avant, Audi A8 and Audi RS 4 in Neckarsulm, and the TT Coupé and TT Roadster at AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft. in Györ, Hungary. the Audi Q7 is built in Bratislava. The Audi product range is rounded off by the Audi A4 Cabriolet, which is made by Karman.
The new Audi R8, made by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, is the first super sports car in the Audi range. Audi stands for “Vorsprung durch Technik” (leadership by technology), and this guiding principle finds its expression in the company’s products. Prime examples of this include the quattro full-time all-wheel-drive system, aluminium bodywork (Audi Space Frame in the Audi A8 and R8), the S tronic Direct Shift Gearbox featured in the Audi TT and Audi A3, and the advanced TDI and FSI engine technology. Audi is a pioneer in diesel technology – both on the road and on the racetrack. The R10 TDI sports car was the first diesel ever to win the legendary “24 Hours of Le Mans” race and the ALMS Series in America. Audi will also be putting the world’s most powerful diesel on the road, in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI, with an output of 500 horsepower and 1000 Newton metres of torque.
DaimlerChrysler:
DaimlerChrysler is unique in the automotive business: its product range extends from ultra-compacts up to sports cars and on to luxury saloons – and from versatile small vans to classic heavy-duty trucks and comfortable touring coaches. The passenger car brands of DaimlerChrysler comprise Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and smart. Its commercial vehicle brands include Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Setra, Mitsubishi Fuso, Thomas Built Buses and Orion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services offers financial services as well as other vehicle-related services.
DaimlerChrysler’s strategy is based on four pillars: excellent products offering outstanding customer orientation, leading brands, leadership in innovation and technology, and global presence and integration. DaimlerChrysler’s workforce is based all around the globe, and the same applies to its shareholders. With 382,724 employees DaimlerChrysler achieved sales totalling € 149.8 billion in 2005.
Volkswagen:
The Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and is the biggest automotive producer in Europe. Volkswagen employs nearly 345,000 people worldwide. In 2005 the Group’s eight brands delivered 5.243 million vehicles in more than 150 different countries, corresponding to a world market share for passenger cars of 9.1 percent. Group sales rose in 2005 to € 95.3 billion. In eleven European countries and in another seven countries in America, Asia and Africa the corporation operates 44 production facilities. Every working day around the world, the Group’s employees are busy building over 21,500 vehicles and providing vehicle-related services. The Volkswagen Group comprises the brands Volkswagen cars, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, commercial vehicles, Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini plus, amongst other units, Volkswagen Financial Services.
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
Jaguar Cars today announces that a new sports sedan, the Jaguar XF, will make its public debut next autumn. Positioned in the luxury mid-size segment, the new Jaguar XF
Designed and developed at Jaguar's Product Development Centre at Whitley in Coventry, UK, the new Jaguar XF will be built at Jaguar's Advanced Manufacturing Centre at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, UK.
"The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," commented Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars. "Our new XK sports car has been very well-received and is enjoying great success. We are now moving on to the next stage of Jaguar's exciting new design era – and if you like the new XK, just wait until you see the new Jaguar XF!"
Customer deliveries of the new Jaguar XF will commence in spring 2008, dependent on market
"The Jaguar XF is a new sports saloon that will challenge people to think again about Jaguar as daring and different," commented Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars. "Our new XK sports car has been very well-received and is enjoying great success. We are now moving on to the next stage of Jaguar's exciting new design era – and if you like the new XK, just wait until you see the new Jaguar XF!"
Customer deliveries of the new Jaguar XF will commence in spring 2008, dependent on market
Kia Rio Wins Two Top Editor Awards
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
Edmunds.com named the 2007 Kia Rio as the Edmunds.com Editors’ Most Wanted Sedan Under $15,000 and named the 2007 Kia Rio5 as the as Edmunds.com Editors’ Most Wanted Wago
"The Editors' Most Wanted winners provide class-leading performance, quality, style and value," said Karl Brauer, Editor-in-Chief at Edmunds.com. "These are the vehicles that our editorial team would choose to have in our own driveways."
In selecting the Kia Rio, Edmunds.com’s editorial staff proclaimed that the vehicle will serve “buyers looking for a pleasant drive, useful features and overall comfort.”
“Rio’s combination of attractive styling, class-leading standard safety equipment and outstanding performance and fuel economy has appealed to new car buyers since its launch last year," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. "We're pleased that the editors of Edmunds.com have recognized the Kia Rio for all it offers consumers."
The Edmunds.com Editors’ Most Wanted Awards have been awarded annually since 1999. Winners are named for the Most Significant Vehicle of the Year and each of 33 market-relevant categories.
Kia Motors America is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea. For more information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com
In selecting the Kia Rio, Edmunds.com’s editorial staff proclaimed that the vehicle will serve “buyers looking for a pleasant drive, useful features and overall comfort.”
“Rio’s combination of attractive styling, class-leading standard safety equipment and outstanding performance and fuel economy has appealed to new car buyers since its launch last year," said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. "We're pleased that the editors of Edmunds.com have recognized the Kia Rio for all it offers consumers."
The Edmunds.com Editors’ Most Wanted Awards have been awarded annually since 1999. Winners are named for the Most Significant Vehicle of the Year and each of 33 market-relevant categories.
Kia Motors America is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea. For more information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
As crossover sales escalate at a blistering pace, the all-new 2007 Lincoln MKX joins the Lincoln showroom this November at a starting price under $35,000. It takes on a h
Even when exceptionally well equipped with the Ultimate package – which includes features like adaptive headlamps, chrome wheels, and heated and cooled front seats – the Lincoln MKX is still priced below the base sticker of all of its top competitors.
“The new Lincoln MKX delivers the features luxury customers want at the best value in its class,” says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. “It will enter one of the hottest segments in the market and show customers that American luxury can be both desirable and attainable. At the same time, we’re building on the success of the Zephyr with the launch of the new Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan. These strong new entries, plus our best Navigator ever and the all-new Navigator L, give us an outstanding opportunity to attract new customers to Lincoln showrooms.”
The new Lincoln MKX features a starting manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $34,795 for front-wheel drive and $36,445 for all-wheel drive models, including $675 for destination and delivery.
A Confident New Player
The Lincoln MKX makes a refined luxury statement with its dynamic American styling. Its distinctive chrome grille, clean, flowing lines and broad-shouldered athletic stance communicate confidence and elegance. Eighteen-inch Euroflange wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips signal power and performance. Wraparound tail lamps and a spoiler complete the rear.
Innovative technologies on the Lincoln MKX combine art and functionality. An all-glass available panoramic Vista Roof™ allows customers to experience open-air freedom at the touch of a button. Distinctive lighting includes a Lincoln first: available adaptive headlamps that swivel around curves, pivoting as the driver steers and lighting up to 36 more feet of roadway around a corner. In addition, an LED liftgate panel provides edge-to-edge illumination.
Inside, the five-passenger Lincoln MKX delivers exceptional comfort along with Lincoln’s hallmark craftsmanship. Its luxurious leather seating features Ford’s first application of its patent-pending Active Comfort Engineering process, with specialized contours helping to reduce pressure points and fatigue. The second-row seats recline to a best-in-class angle and can fold and pivot in one movement. Lincoln MKX provides comfort for all passengers, no matter the temperature, with available heated and cooled seats. The spacious center console offers customers versatility, with a standard MP3 audio jack and a power point hidden inside. Three additional power points also are provided in the cabin.
A host of innovative features keeps Lincoln MKX customers connected and in command. An optional a DVD rear-seat entertainment system plays DVDs or CDs with infrared remote. Lincoln MKX also features an intuitive DVD-based navigation system, able to deliver text-to-speech information in English, Spanish or French. An available THX-II sound system and available SIRIUS satellite radio also contribute to the Lincoln business class experience.
The Lincoln MKX delivers smooth power on demand for effortless driving enjoyment. It’s powered by Ford’s new fuel-efficient 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with the class-exclusive 6-speed transmission automatic transmission. The independent front and rear suspension are luxury tuned for responsive ride and handling. As the quietest Lincoln ever, Lincoln MKX is designed to give customers a quiet ride on virtually any road surface. Ford engineers have introduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) absorbers behind nearly every trim panel of the Lincoln MKX for new levels of refinement and quietness.
The available intelligent AWD system on the Lincoln MKX delivers luxury performance and offers confident all-weather driving. It continuously monitors vehicle speed and throttle input and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels as needed, helping improve balance when cornering.
Outstanding Value
The Lincoln MKX is available in a single series, featuring a full complement of standard premium equipment along with select options, making it easy for customers to order. Customers may select standalone options, or choose the Ultimate and Elite option packages for additional value (available for FWD and AWD models).
Key standard features include:
Ultimate Package includes:
Additional standalone options include:
With crossover sales projected to reach 3 million units by the end of the decade, Lincoln’s first luxury crossover offers the brand a unique opportunity to reach new consumers. Lincoln MKX already is generating considerable buzz. Since January, more than 380,000 consumers have visited the Lincoln MKX Build & Price Web site on www.lincoln.com, producing more than 140,000 configurations. About 65 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to purchase or lease the vehicle they configured.
“The new Lincoln MKX delivers the features luxury customers want at the best value in its class,” says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. “It will enter one of the hottest segments in the market and show customers that American luxury can be both desirable and attainable. At the same time, we’re building on the success of the Zephyr with the launch of the new Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan. These strong new entries, plus our best Navigator ever and the all-new Navigator L, give us an outstanding opportunity to attract new customers to Lincoln showrooms.”
The new Lincoln MKX features a starting manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $34,795 for front-wheel drive and $36,445 for all-wheel drive models, including $675 for destination and delivery.
A Confident New Player
The Lincoln MKX makes a refined luxury statement with its dynamic American styling. Its distinctive chrome grille, clean, flowing lines and broad-shouldered athletic stance communicate confidence and elegance. Eighteen-inch Euroflange wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips signal power and performance. Wraparound tail lamps and a spoiler complete the rear.
Innovative technologies on the Lincoln MKX combine art and functionality. An all-glass available panoramic Vista Roof™ allows customers to experience open-air freedom at the touch of a button. Distinctive lighting includes a Lincoln first: available adaptive headlamps that swivel around curves, pivoting as the driver steers and lighting up to 36 more feet of roadway around a corner. In addition, an LED liftgate panel provides edge-to-edge illumination.
Inside, the five-passenger Lincoln MKX delivers exceptional comfort along with Lincoln’s hallmark craftsmanship. Its luxurious leather seating features Ford’s first application of its patent-pending Active Comfort Engineering process, with specialized contours helping to reduce pressure points and fatigue. The second-row seats recline to a best-in-class angle and can fold and pivot in one movement. Lincoln MKX provides comfort for all passengers, no matter the temperature, with available heated and cooled seats. The spacious center console offers customers versatility, with a standard MP3 audio jack and a power point hidden inside. Three additional power points also are provided in the cabin.
A host of innovative features keeps Lincoln MKX customers connected and in command. An optional a DVD rear-seat entertainment system plays DVDs or CDs with infrared remote. Lincoln MKX also features an intuitive DVD-based navigation system, able to deliver text-to-speech information in English, Spanish or French. An available THX-II sound system and available SIRIUS satellite radio also contribute to the Lincoln business class experience.
The Lincoln MKX delivers smooth power on demand for effortless driving enjoyment. It’s powered by Ford’s new fuel-efficient 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine, paired with the class-exclusive 6-speed transmission automatic transmission. The independent front and rear suspension are luxury tuned for responsive ride and handling. As the quietest Lincoln ever, Lincoln MKX is designed to give customers a quiet ride on virtually any road surface. Ford engineers have introduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) absorbers behind nearly every trim panel of the Lincoln MKX for new levels of refinement and quietness.
The available intelligent AWD system on the Lincoln MKX delivers luxury performance and offers confident all-weather driving. It continuously monitors vehicle speed and throttle input and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels as needed, helping improve balance when cornering.
Outstanding Value
The Lincoln MKX is available in a single series, featuring a full complement of standard premium equipment along with select options, making it easy for customers to order. Customers may select standalone options, or choose the Ultimate and Elite option packages for additional value (available for FWD and AWD models).
Key standard features include:
- New 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6, certified on regular 87-octane fuel
- Class-exclusive 6-speed automatic transmission
- Luxurious interior, with genuine wood, leather, and satin nickel trim
- 18-inch 8-spoke machined aluminum Euroflange wheels
- Wraparound tail lamps and full-width LED lighting panel
- MP3 audio input jack
- 8-way power adjustable driver/passenger seat
- Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
- Excellent NVH characteristics and unique suspension
- Dual zone electronic automatic temperature control with particulate air filter
- Standard safety features including: industry leading AdvanceTrac® with RSC®, ABS, Safety Canopy™ with rollover sensor, front- and front seat side-impact air bags, occupant classification system, adjustable head restraints, LATCH system and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
Ultimate Package includes:
- Adaptive headlamps
- 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, including power lumbar support
- Heated and cooled front seats
- Driver memory seats and mirrors
- 18-inch 8-spoke chrome-clad aluminum Euroflange wheel
- Power liftgate
- Reverse Sensing System
- Homelink
- EasyFold™ second-row remote seat release
- Easy entry driver’s seat and driver’s side electrochromic exterior mirror
- Panoramic Vista Roof™ with dual power sunshades
- DVD-based navigation system with a 6.5-inch-wide screen and text-to-speech technology for travel directions aloud in English, Spanish or French
- THX II-Certified ® audio system with 14 speakers and 600 Watts of power
- SIRIUS™ satellite radio with six-month subscription
Additional standalone options include:
- Rear-seat DVD Entertainment System
- Class II trailer tow
- Heated rear seats
With crossover sales projected to reach 3 million units by the end of the decade, Lincoln’s first luxury crossover offers the brand a unique opportunity to reach new consumers. Lincoln MKX already is generating considerable buzz. Since January, more than 380,000 consumers have visited the Lincoln MKX Build & Price Web site on www.lincoln.com, producing more than 140,000 configurations. About 65 percent of respondents said they were somewhat or very likely to purchase or lease the vehicle they configured.
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
The 2007 Jaguar XK received the Recommended 2007 Award by Consumer Guide® Automotive in the Premium Sporty/Performance Car category. This award is presented every year an
"The Jaguar XK has received tremendous acclaim around the world from our customers and media alike. However, we are especially delighted to get this recognition from Consumer Guide® Automotive," said Mike O'Driscoll, president of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover.
Standing out amongst its competitors, the 2007 XK is the most technologically-advanced car Jaguar has yet built. It offers precision handling, unparalleled excitement and an exhilarating speed – key features of an award-winning vehicle.
In addition, the XK inspires drivers of all abilities with confidence due to its all-aluminum lightweight body, sophisticated transmission and sporting exterior and interior styling cues. This combination perfectly balances the performance of a sports GT cruiser and an exhilarating sports car.
The MSRP for the 2007 XK Coupe is $75,500 and $81,500 for the 2007 XK Convertible.
Consumer Guide® Automotive is a highly regarded source in the automotive industry. The editors who choose the cars for these awards are well respected, well known names in the automotive field, so it is a great honor for Jaguar to be awarded and recognized by Consumer Guide®.
Standing out amongst its competitors, the 2007 XK is the most technologically-advanced car Jaguar has yet built. It offers precision handling, unparalleled excitement and an exhilarating speed – key features of an award-winning vehicle.
In addition, the XK inspires drivers of all abilities with confidence due to its all-aluminum lightweight body, sophisticated transmission and sporting exterior and interior styling cues. This combination perfectly balances the performance of a sports GT cruiser and an exhilarating sports car.
The MSRP for the 2007 XK Coupe is $75,500 and $81,500 for the 2007 XK Convertible.
Consumer Guide® Automotive is a highly regarded source in the automotive industry. The editors who choose the cars for these awards are well respected, well known names in the automotive field, so it is a great honor for Jaguar to be awarded and recognized by Consumer Guide®.
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
Motor Trend gives top prize to the Mercedes-Benz GL450 as the magazine's 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year.
The GL was selected from a field of 22 vehicles—the largest crop of sport/utilities MOTOR TREND had ever evaluated. Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of MOTOR TREND, noted that this year’s field was especially strong.
“The GL may be a surprise winner for many people,” said MacKenzie. “The first full-size sport/utility from Mercedes is not cheap, but it has astonishing technology. It offers a seven-speed automatic transmission and a V-8 engine with 335 horsepower, and it will be available in a version that runs on the new low-sulfur diesel fuel for greater gas mileage. Comfortable, third-row seating has become one of the most important measures for sport/utilities, and the GL’s is the best.”
MacKenzie added, “The GL extends the reach of Mercedes-Benz in the sport/utility segment, and is certainly the best sport/utility they’ve made. In every facet, from performance to the interior, the vehicle is a winner.”
To judge the prestigious award, MOTOR TREND’s editorial staff conducted exhaustive off-road, street and track testing, and carefully considered essentials such as driving performance, engineering, design, safety and features. Eligible vehicles had to be all-new or substantially upgraded and on sale in the 12 months since November 1st each year.
The rest of the 22 vehicles MOTOR TREND evaluated include:
Acura MDX
Acura RDX
Audi Q7
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chrysler Aspen Dodge Nitro
Ford Edge
Ford Expedition El
GMC Yukon Denali XL
Honda CRV Ex-L
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Wrangler Lincoln MKX
Lincoln Navigator
Mazda CX-7
Mitsubishi Outlander
Suzuki X17
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota RAV4
The Evolving Sport/Utility
MacKenzie noted that this year’s Sport/Utility of the Year testing recognized the rapid and dramatic change in the sport/utility segment. Many industry observers have pointed to the rise of a new class of vehicle—the crossover—that more clearly delineates the SUV’s evolution from an off-road, truck-based platform to one that offers a more car-like experience with better feel and driveability.
“If you look at the sport/utility segment on that basis,” said MacKenzie. “All of the vehicles that we drove this year are crossovers. It used to be that the sport/utility was an off-road vehicle, plain and simple. This year, only three vehicles—the Mercedes-Benz GL, the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota FJ Cruiser—had real off-road capability. Many of this year’s new sport/utility models will be offered in two-wheel drive versions that will certainly be popular in states where weather and roads aren’t a problem.
“Bold styling, a high seating position and, in a word, utility, are why consumers buy SUVs. It’s the 21st century station wagon, neither truck nor car-based, and truly belongs in its own category. That’s why this year’s contest looked more closely at on-road driveability than rock-crawling.”
MacKenzie added, “That the GL is this year’s winner tells you a lot about how far this segment has come. The GL can certainly go off road, but it also delivers car-like levels of performance and refinement on road. It’s the combination of feel, style and usefulness that set it apart.”
About MOTOR TREND’s Sport/Utility of the Year Testing and Evaluation Process
Each year since 1949, the editorial staff of MOTOR TREND evaluates eligible vehicles based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority, and Value. Significance refers to innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of vehicle dynamics and performance, build quality and execution, and how well the vehicle performs its intended function. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, “What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?”
The complete report on the MOTOR TREND 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year testing and selection will be published in the December issue of MOTOR TREND, available on newsstands November 7, 2006. High-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at www.motortrend.com/media. Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on MOTOR TREND Radio, hosted by Bob Long.
“The GL may be a surprise winner for many people,” said MacKenzie. “The first full-size sport/utility from Mercedes is not cheap, but it has astonishing technology. It offers a seven-speed automatic transmission and a V-8 engine with 335 horsepower, and it will be available in a version that runs on the new low-sulfur diesel fuel for greater gas mileage. Comfortable, third-row seating has become one of the most important measures for sport/utilities, and the GL’s is the best.”
MacKenzie added, “The GL extends the reach of Mercedes-Benz in the sport/utility segment, and is certainly the best sport/utility they’ve made. In every facet, from performance to the interior, the vehicle is a winner.”
To judge the prestigious award, MOTOR TREND’s editorial staff conducted exhaustive off-road, street and track testing, and carefully considered essentials such as driving performance, engineering, design, safety and features. Eligible vehicles had to be all-new or substantially upgraded and on sale in the 12 months since November 1st each year.
The rest of the 22 vehicles MOTOR TREND evaluated include:
Acura MDX
Acura RDX
Audi Q7
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chrysler Aspen Dodge Nitro
Ford Edge
Ford Expedition El
GMC Yukon Denali XL
Honda CRV Ex-L
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Wrangler Lincoln MKX
Lincoln Navigator
Mazda CX-7
Mitsubishi Outlander
Suzuki X17
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota RAV4
The Evolving Sport/Utility
MacKenzie noted that this year’s Sport/Utility of the Year testing recognized the rapid and dramatic change in the sport/utility segment. Many industry observers have pointed to the rise of a new class of vehicle—the crossover—that more clearly delineates the SUV’s evolution from an off-road, truck-based platform to one that offers a more car-like experience with better feel and driveability.
“If you look at the sport/utility segment on that basis,” said MacKenzie. “All of the vehicles that we drove this year are crossovers. It used to be that the sport/utility was an off-road vehicle, plain and simple. This year, only three vehicles—the Mercedes-Benz GL, the Jeep Wrangler and the Toyota FJ Cruiser—had real off-road capability. Many of this year’s new sport/utility models will be offered in two-wheel drive versions that will certainly be popular in states where weather and roads aren’t a problem.
“Bold styling, a high seating position and, in a word, utility, are why consumers buy SUVs. It’s the 21st century station wagon, neither truck nor car-based, and truly belongs in its own category. That’s why this year’s contest looked more closely at on-road driveability than rock-crawling.”
MacKenzie added, “That the GL is this year’s winner tells you a lot about how far this segment has come. The GL can certainly go off road, but it also delivers car-like levels of performance and refinement on road. It’s the combination of feel, style and usefulness that set it apart.”
About MOTOR TREND’s Sport/Utility of the Year Testing and Evaluation Process
Each year since 1949, the editorial staff of MOTOR TREND evaluates eligible vehicles based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority, and Value. Significance refers to innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of vehicle dynamics and performance, build quality and execution, and how well the vehicle performs its intended function. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, “What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?”
The complete report on the MOTOR TREND 2007 Sport/Utility of the Year testing and selection will be published in the December issue of MOTOR TREND, available on newsstands November 7, 2006. High-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at www.motortrend.com/media. Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on MOTOR TREND Radio, hosted by Bob Long.
Mazda CX7 Earns Top Safety Ratings
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
The 2007 Mazda CX-7 crossover SUV received five-star frontal and side impact crashworthiness ratings, the highest possible scores, in the U.S. government’s National Highw
The Mazda CX-7 also received a four-star rollover rating for both the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. No SUV currently on sale has received better ratings than the CX-7.
“The CX-7 combines performance and safety with a level of power and driving satisfaction seldom associated with a SUV,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president of product development and quality for Mazda North American Operations. “We are proud to offer a vehicle that blends these features with excellent crash test ratings.”
NHTSA’s frontal collision ratings are determined by placing crash-test dummies in the driver’s seat and front-passenger seats and securing them with the vehicle’s seat belts. Vehicles are then crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 mph, which is equivalent to a head-on collision between two similar vehicles that are moving at 35 mph. The five-star rating attained by CX-7 indicates a ten percent or less chance of serious injury to a belted occupant in the front seat.
Side-impact crash testing represents an intersection-type collision with a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph into the CX-7, with crash test dummies buckled into the driver and rear passenger seats. CX-7’s five star rating, the highest possible, indicates a five percent or less chance of serious injury.
The CX-7, which went on sale this past June, has a full complement of standard safety equipment, including dual front airbags, front seat mounted side air bags, roof mounted curtain air bags with rollover protection, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control and tire pressure monitors. CX-7 also features a rigid unibody utilizing Mazda’s Advanced Impact Energy Distribution and Absorption System to realize high levels of collision safety and help protect occupants in various accident situations, including front-, side- and rear-impact collisions. It is constructed of large frame sections featuring high-strength steel with subframe connections to help absorb energy when a collision occurs. The side frame is stamped from a single tailored blank, which minimizes center pillar deformation during a side-impact collision.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
“The CX-7 combines performance and safety with a level of power and driving satisfaction seldom associated with a SUV,” said Robert Davis, senior vice president of product development and quality for Mazda North American Operations. “We are proud to offer a vehicle that blends these features with excellent crash test ratings.”
NHTSA’s frontal collision ratings are determined by placing crash-test dummies in the driver’s seat and front-passenger seats and securing them with the vehicle’s seat belts. Vehicles are then crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 mph, which is equivalent to a head-on collision between two similar vehicles that are moving at 35 mph. The five-star rating attained by CX-7 indicates a ten percent or less chance of serious injury to a belted occupant in the front seat.
Side-impact crash testing represents an intersection-type collision with a 3,015 pound barrier moving at 38.5 mph into the CX-7, with crash test dummies buckled into the driver and rear passenger seats. CX-7’s five star rating, the highest possible, indicates a five percent or less chance of serious injury.
The CX-7, which went on sale this past June, has a full complement of standard safety equipment, including dual front airbags, front seat mounted side air bags, roof mounted curtain air bags with rollover protection, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, traction control and Dynamic Stability Control and tire pressure monitors. CX-7 also features a rigid unibody utilizing Mazda’s Advanced Impact Energy Distribution and Absorption System to realize high levels of collision safety and help protect occupants in various accident situations, including front-, side- and rear-impact collisions. It is constructed of large frame sections featuring high-strength steel with subframe connections to help absorb energy when a collision occurs. The side frame is stamped from a single tailored blank, which minimizes center pillar deformation during a side-impact collision.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
According to the recently released 2007 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuel Economy Guide, General Motors leads the industry with more vehicles that achieve 30 mpg
“General Motors’ fuel economy leadership position further exemplifies our commitment to continually increasing the efficiency of our vehicles,” said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president of Energy and Environment. “We offered 14 vehicles that achieve 30 mpg in 2006 and that number has risen to 23 for 2007. Clearly our propulsion strategy is critical to our business, and it also is beneficial to consumers and the environment.”
For more information about GM's fuel saving technologies visit www.gmability.com.
For more information about GM's fuel saving technologies visit www.gmability.com.
Saab Debuts First SUV: 9-7 Aero
Posted by
Sheryll Alexander
The sophisticated, jet-originated Saab brand gets in touch with its inner funk and is strutting its new and improved hip side, as the 9-7X Aero Concept debuts.
Saab's first ever SUV -- the Saab 9-7 Aero -- is decked-out with a high-level of specialized elements. Those include:
The big question at the show very well may be: when will this black beauty go into production? "Shows such as SEMA provide Saab a terrific opportunity to try new things and quickly get the evolution out in front of the public," Julie Kenar, Saab Automobile USA 9-7X marketing manager explains. "This will act as a good gauge for whether this concept is one which resonates with customers."
Earlier this year, Saab announced the 9-7X Altitude Edition, of which only 500 will be produced. Beyond the extremely rich standard equipment of the 9-7X, the Altitude Edition includes 18" alloy polished wheels, side assist steps, a rear DVD player, and an exclusive carbon fiber gray metallic paint. The package will be offered at a savings of nearly $1,000 than if the items were ordered individually. The package is available on the six-cylinder 9-7X 4.2i and the 9-7X 5.3I V8 - which will bring the total vehicle price (MSRP, destination charge and Altitude package) to $42,130 and $44,130, respectively.
For 2007, OnStar-equipped 9-7X models will feature a new service called OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully-integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. Also in 2007, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System becomes standard equipment on the 9-7X, and one new color, Crystal Blue metallic, has been added.
The Saab 9-7X, which debuted in the summer of 2005, brings unique Saab characteristics to the SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium quality and design features, and sporty and fun-to-drive performance. With its high-level of standard equipment, the 9-7X offers a terrific value.
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2007 model year, Saab markets seven engines/transmissions that perform at an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway. Saab also offers vehicle warranty coverage for five-years or up to 100,000 miles. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.
- 24-inch custom fabricated "Aero X" wheels and 225/30 Pirelli tires
- Suede and leather interior trim
- Custom front fender side vents
- Custom three-inch lowered suspension
- Borla Performance Exhaust System
- Window and tail light tint
- DVD/TV in-dash double-din head unit
- Four, seven-inch TV monitors for seats
- 15-inch flip down LCD center
- Two amplifiers and two 12-inch sub woofers with custom box
The big question at the show very well may be: when will this black beauty go into production? "Shows such as SEMA provide Saab a terrific opportunity to try new things and quickly get the evolution out in front of the public," Julie Kenar, Saab Automobile USA 9-7X marketing manager explains. "This will act as a good gauge for whether this concept is one which resonates with customers."
Earlier this year, Saab announced the 9-7X Altitude Edition, of which only 500 will be produced. Beyond the extremely rich standard equipment of the 9-7X, the Altitude Edition includes 18" alloy polished wheels, side assist steps, a rear DVD player, and an exclusive carbon fiber gray metallic paint. The package will be offered at a savings of nearly $1,000 than if the items were ordered individually. The package is available on the six-cylinder 9-7X 4.2i and the 9-7X 5.3I V8 - which will bring the total vehicle price (MSRP, destination charge and Altitude package) to $42,130 and $44,130, respectively.
For 2007, OnStar-equipped 9-7X models will feature a new service called OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully-integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. Also in 2007, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System becomes standard equipment on the 9-7X, and one new color, Crystal Blue metallic, has been added.
The Saab 9-7X, which debuted in the summer of 2005, brings unique Saab characteristics to the SUV segment, including sophisticated styling inside and out, premium quality and design features, and sporty and fun-to-drive performance. With its high-level of standard equipment, the 9-7X offers a terrific value.
Saab is a division of General Motors Corp. Saab Automobile USA is the importer and/or distributor of Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X automobiles for Saab Automobile AB, Sweden. For the 2007 model year, Saab markets seven engines/transmissions that perform at an EPA-rated 30 mpg on the highway. Saab also offers vehicle warranty coverage for five-years or up to 100,000 miles. Visit www.saabusa.com for more information.