Posts Tagged ‘new york autoshow’
Out on the show floor, we spotted the 2015 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. They are both good looking trucks and I would say that if I was in the market for a mid-size truck, I would definitely add them to the list of trucks to check out.
It was easy to make a quick comparison of the Colorado to its full size sibling as they were right next to each other. I really don’t understand this market. These trucks aren’t really half size or mid-size. They are 4/5 size. The Colorado is 5.7 inches narrower and 17.4 inches shorter (Crew cab short box) compared to the Silverado. It the same height in 4×4 spec at 74 inches give or take.
Inside, you really feel that lack of width as you sit much closer to the passenger. You have to be skinny if you want to sit in the middle of the back bench. The extended cab version has all but useless rear seats. The interior materials are acceptable in the Colorado, but nothing to write home about. Many options will be available including dual screens for rear passengers (for those with kids). They had no upscale models on the floor, so I can’t say if the 1% will like the leather and if the dash materials are upgraded.
There are 3 engines that are available, but the one most people are curious about, the diesel, still has no ratings at all. The 2.5-litre 4 cylinder has 193 hp and 184 lb-ft. The 3.6 V6 has 302hp and 270 lb-ft.
At a hair over 4000 lbs, the Colorado is 1200 lbs lighter than the Silverado. It’s surprising as the Colorado looks as heavy as the Silverado. I guess you could say that the Colorado is a Silverado that went on a diet and ended up with a smaller waist.
No towing specs yet. Expected release is this fall.
More of the Colorado and Canyon after the jump.
At the New York International Autoshow, Ram displayed their latest off-road offering. The new Ram Power Wagon is a complete package that rides on the 2500 Heavy Duty platform. The Power Wagon name has a long history with Dodge where the nameplate was used from 1945 to 1980. Dodge asserts that ram trucks have always been the best available off-road vehicles on market. The new Ram Power Wagon does that statement justice.
A huge list of upgrades start with a factory lift kit, 33 inch Goodyear Duratrac tires, a 12,000 pound factory installed recovery winch integrated in the front bumper, locking front and rear axles, a newly engineered suspension and a 6.4 litre HEMI with 410 hp.
The HEMI is similar to the latest units in the SRT line, but has been tuned and modified for durability. The engine boast a 5 year, 160,000 km warranty. It has cylinder deactivation for highway efficiency as well modified throttle response when the transfer case is in 4-low.
Robust/highvolume oil cooler
Oil jets for piston cooling
Aircraft grade, stainless steel gaskets and fasteners for improved durability at high temperatures
The front and rear axles are upgraded and built by American Axle Manufacturing. Final drive has been moved to a more efficient 4.10 ratio. Towing is rated at nearly 11,000 lbs.
The truck is offered in 3 trim packages that fall in line with the regular Ram 2500.
I can’t say that I am a big fan of the decal package. Too “look at me” for my taste.
Gallery after the jump.
I can’t see a difference, can you see a difference? This is the updated Mini Countryman.
The S version gets a bump in power to 190hp and 3 new colours are available. What you see here is the Jungle Green Metallic. There are some smaller technical updates and chrome trim for the JCW (John Cooper Works) edition. It available in front wheel drive and all wheel drive.
You’ll feel safe driving it knowing that it got 5 stars on the Euro NCAP test rating.
Click through for the gallery, which looks a lot like the last Mini Countryman gallery we posted.
Alfa Romeo brought a 4C to the New York Autoshow to make a statement. The statement is that they are back in business in North America. It is a fun looking car that reminds me of a Lotus / Tesla. This car is far better looking and it is a refreshing design for North America. Hopefully, any other models they bring will be equally provoking as Alfa’s designs are definitely different from what we are used to seeing on this side of the Atlantic.
The 4C is a mid engine rear drive car that is supported by a Carbon Fibre monocoque. A 240 hp 1.8 litre 4 banger provides the get up and go. The car weighs 2200 lbs and is good for a 4.5 second 0-100 km/h time. It should be a fun little go-cart. The new track facilities near Calgary can’t come soon enough.
The 4C should be available in the US in June. No announcement on Canadian availability.
Looking forward to what Alfa Romeo has to offer in the coming years.
Gallery after the jump.
Land Rover unveiled a new concept today at the New York Autoshow. It showcases the new design language that is expected to move throughout the line. The first SUV to be released will be an all new Discovery Sport. The release is expected sometime in 2015 and I would hazard a guess that it will be named a 2016 model.
Land Rover is experimenting with new technology that will make for a more interactive experience throughout the vehicle. Hand gestures are expected to open door, change tint darkness on windows and move vehicle information to and from connected tablets or phones. I am not clear on why we need this. To me, it looks like more distracted driving.
Another piece of technology is a transparent hood. Front cameras are projected onto a HUD across the entire windscreen and this allows you to see the terrain you are about to drive over as well as the position of the tires. This is tech I can stand behind. It should be something standard in lower cars so wives don’t run the front bumpers over curbs.
In a different vein, Land Rover said they are working on a remote control. This would allow the driver to step out of the vehicle and drive it from a connected device. They explained that this would be good for backing up to a trailer or parking in a tight spot. I would use it out in McLean Creek.
Gallery after the jump.
We got an in person look at the new X5 eDrive concept at the New York Autoshow today. Many visual tweaks are aparent compared to the regular X5 including a glowing charge dock, blue kidney grill slats and restyled bumpers and 21 inch wheels.
The eDrive combines the TwinPower 4 cylinder with 245hp with a 95hp electric motor. It can run for 30 kilometres on electric only power and up to 120 km/h before the gasoline motor helps with propulsion. One of the highlights of this hybrid is that you don’t lose the cargo room in the rear due to the lithium-ion batteries.
The X5 eDrive is an interesting proposition for BMW. The X6 hybrid that was released a number of years ago did not sell well, at least in our Canadian Market, so it makes me wonder if they will bother with bringing it to Canada. The real question is whether the 1% care enough about the environment to go with a hybrid over a diesel or the X5M. Truth be told, you wouldn’t drive a 5000lb SUV if you cared.
More after the jump.
BMW revealed the refreshed X3 SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) at the NYIAS today. A large number of enhancements have been made to the second generation X3. The most notable is a new range of drivetrain choices.
For the first time in North America, BMW will be offering the X3 with a diesel engine in the X3 xDrive28d. This is the same 2.0-litre TwinPower diesel engine that is currently offered in the 3 series sedan and wagon diesel variants. Mated to the ubiquitous 8-speed ZF transmission, the engine produces 180hp and 280lb-ft of torque that moves the SUV to 60 mph in under 8 seconds.
Returning to the lineup is the xDrive28i that will come with the 2.0-litre TwinPower gasoline engine producing 240hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and the xDrive35i with the 3.0-litre TwinPower gasoline engine producing 300hp.
Read the rest of this entry »
The latest iteration of the M3/M4 was released today at the New York International Autoshow. The M4 convertible is based on the 4 series convertible but comes with standard M enhancements. Bigger fenders front and rear, quad exhaust pipes and power dome hood.
The M4 uses the latest in lightweight components like aluminium body panels and carbon reinforced plastic (cfrp). The convertible uses the same twin turbo 3.0 litre 6 cylinder motor of the standard M4 coupe and M3 sedan that is rated at 425hp and just over 400lb-ft.
More photos after the jump.
BMW has just release their latest model in order to fit every niche market out there. The X4 SAV is the newest entry into the coupe / cross over / lifted 5 door hatch market. It follows the X6 and allows less fortunate BMW owners to show off their money. It is yet another Sport utility that is neither sporty or utilitarian.
It is heavily based on the X3 and shares the same drivetrains. The 2.0 liter TwinPower direct injected 4 cylinder with 240hp and the 3 liter, TwinPower 6 cylinder that sees duty in nearly every model BMW makes. I wouldn’t however expect the latest X3 diesel offering to make it into the X4 at launch.
The X4 is supposed to be the sporty version of the X3. Slightly longer and 1.5 inches lower, the X4 has a muscular stance that even the X3 M sport doesn’t have. The peak of the roofline is over the driver making headroom in the rear seats a challenge. At 5′ 10″, my head grazes the top and taller folks will likely hit their head on entry and exit.
Similarly, BMW also released a 4 series (supposed to be 2 door) 4 door coupe. Same engines, same roofline that will likely concuss your rear passengers. This car also seats only 4 comfortably. There is a fifth seat, but it is pretty narrow. I don’t get this whole 4 door coupe thing. I blame Mercedes for bringing out the CLS and everyone else for jumping on the bandwagon.
Truth be told, the 4 series is a looker and BMW says that the roof line on the Grand Coupe is higher than the coupe. For a guy with kids, I would certainly buy the convenience of the 4 doors over the 2 if I was in the market for 4 series grand coupe.
More photos of the X4 and 435 Grand Coupe after the jump
