Tag Archives: New Cars

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2022 Toyota Avalon Drops AWD And TRD, Starts From $36,375 For Its Final Year

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The fifth-generation Avalon might have been introduced in 2018, but Toyota has confirmed that 2022 will mark the end of its production. Today, the automaker announced pricing for the 2022 MY alongside a few changes in the lineup.

The 2022 Toyota Avalon starts from $36,375 (excluding the $1,025 fee), making it $250 more expensive than last year’s model.

The full-size sedan is not available in AWD variants anymore, while the sporty TRD trim was also dropped from the range. The good news for prospective buyers is the addition of new safety features as standard, including the upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package (dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, etc), and the addition of a rear-seat reminder system.

Read Also: The Toyota Avalon TRD Has Plenty Of Comfort, But Not Enough Sportiness

Just like last year, the Avalon is available with gas and hybrid powertrains. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 301 hp (224 kW / 305 PS) and 267 lb-ft (362 Nm) of torque, mated to an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox that sends power to the front axle. The hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors producing a combined 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and comes with a fuel economy rating of 44 mpg combined.

The 2022 lineup includes six trim levels, including the XSE Nightshade Edition that is visually differentiated from the glossy black accents, the 19-inch wheels, and the rear diffuser. Inside, variants are differentiated with the base XLE featuring SofTex upholstery and “engineered wood” trim, the Limited coming with perforated leather and genuine wood sourced from Yamaha, and the Touring with perforated SofTex / Ultrasuede and aluminum trim.

Read Also: Toyota Adds New Colors, Nightshade Edition To 2022 Camry

In terms of equipment, the Limited and Touring come standard with a premium 14-speaker JBL Audio system, a 10-inch Head-up display, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen (Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / Amazon Alexa), a wireless charging pad, and a moonroof (also standard on the Nightshade, optional in XLE, XLE hybrid). The Touring is the sportiest of the bunch equipped with the electronically controlled Adaptive Variable Suspension system, and an extra driving mode (eco, normal, sport, sport+, custom)

2022 Toyota Avalon Pricing

  • Avalon XLE 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $36,375
  • Avalon XLE Hybrid 2.5-liter ECVT: $37,350
  • Avalon Limited 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $42,675
  • Avalon Limited Hybrid 2.5-liter ECVT: $43,650
  • Avalon XSE Hybrid Nightshade 2.5-liter ECVT: $40,700
  • Avalon Touring 3.5-liter V6 8-speed Auto: $43,075

*MSRP prices excluding delivery processing and handling fee of $1,025

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Mazda3 And CX-30 Get Mild Updates In Japan Including New Special Editions

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After the Mazda CX-3 Super Edgy, the automaker announced a series of special trim levels of the Mazda3 and the CX-30 in Japan, alongside small updates on the e-SkyActiv X motor.

Those include tweaking the intake port and exhaust silencer of the gasoline engine to produce a richer sound for spicing up the driving experience during acceleration. Additionally, engineers have updated the gas pedal feel for a greater “sense of unity with the car”. As a refresher, the e-SkyActiv X is a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 183 hp (137 kW / 186 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque.

Read Also: Mazda3 And CX-30 Updated In Australia With MX-30’s Mild-Hybrid Powertrain

In terms of the new trim levels, the Smart Edition is available for models equipped with the e-Skyactiv X engine. It brings more comfort and safety equipment including an active driving display, smart brake support, high beam control system, lane keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Meanwhile the Black Tone Edition, which is available for all powertrain variants of both models, is visually differentiated by the black 18-inch aluminum wheels, the gloss-black mirrors, and the red stitching inside the cabin.

Read Also: We Drive The 2021 Mazda CX-30 Turbo, A Luxurious Performance Crossover For The Masses

The pictured Mazda CX-30 Black Tone Edition is fitted with optional aero components including the bumper and side-sill extensions.

Following the example of the more recent CX-30, all Mazda3 models get a new dimming turn signal which, according to Mazda, gives “a sense of life” in the car. Last but not least, the Platinum Quartz Metallic is a new color option for the Mazda3 and the CX-30, while the Polymetal Gray Metallic is added to the palette of the Mazda3 Sedan.

Orders for the mildly updated Mazda3 and CX-30 are open in Japan as of today, with vehicles arriving in dealerships in late November.

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Chrysler Dramatically Cuts Down 2022 Pacifica Hybrid Configurations, Increases Prices

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Chrysler has introduced a host of changes to the Pacifica Hybrid for the 2022 model year while also announcing a new pricing structure.

The most significant change made to the hybrid minivan for 2022 is a dramatic reduction in the number of available configurations. According to Mopar Insiders, the number of possible combinations has been decreased from 3,550 to just 53, bringing the Pacifica more closely in line with the Honda Odyssey and its seven available combinations and the Kia Carnival with its 90 different configurations.

Elsewhere, Chrysler has made a new rear-seat reminder system standard equipment across all models. A Clean Air Filtration System that cleans 95 per cent of air particulates, while also separating out pollen, allergens, and bacteria, has also been introduced.

Read More: Chrysler Updates Their 2022 Lineup With New Tech Including Amazon Fire TV

Customers can pick up the keys to a 2022 Pacifica Hybrid in one of three trim levels. The entry-level model is the Touring L and replaces the base Touring that was offered for 2021. It starts at $46,760 in the U.S., a $745 increase over last year, but does come standard with the Safety Sphere Group that adds ParkSense Front Park Assist with Stop, ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, and a 360 Surround View Camera.

Found in the middle of the range is the Pacifica Hybrid Limited. It starts at $50,660, a $1,675 price hike over 2021, and now comes standard with the Premium and Safety Sphere Group which adds the aforementioned safety features of the Touring L and adds a 760-watt amplifier and 19 Harmon Kardon speakers. The tri-plane sunroof is no longer available and has been replaced by a dual-plane one.

Topping out the 2022 Pacifica Hybrid family is the Pinnacle. It lands with Amazon FireTV as standard but drops the standard wireless headphones that accompanied the Uconnect Theater system. The Pinnacle’s starting price has been increased by $450 to $54,940.

Note: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica pictured

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Single Motor Polestar 2 Coming To The U.S. From $47,200

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The single motor version of the 2022 Polestar 2 is heading to the United States from $47,200 including a $1,300 destination charge.

Like the dual-motor version of the Polestar 2, the single-motor variant has a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery pack but rather than producing 408 hp and 487 lb-ft (660 Nm), it is capped at 231 hp and 248 lb-ft (336 Nm). It also has an EPA-estimated maximum driving range of 265 miles (426 km), which is better than the 249-mile (400 km) range of the dual-motor version.

Read More: Polestar 2 Single-Motor Variant Announced With 260-Mile Range

When federal, state, and utility incentives are factored in, the entry-level Polestar 2 can be purchased for as little as $34,900 plus the $1,300 destination charge.

The single-motor Polestar 2 will be offered with three option packages. The first is the $3,000 Pilot Pack which adds a host of electronic driving aids. Also on offer is the $4,000 Plus Pack that includes a heat pump that can increase the range by up to 10 per cent in ideal conditions and uses thermal energy emitted by the drivetrain to heat the cabin; it also adds a full-length panoramic sunroof and a Harman-Kardon sound system.

Last but not least is the $5,000 Performance Pack that brings with it an adjustable Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, Continental tires, and gold exterior accents. A handful of other standalone options are available, such as leather upholstery for $4,000, 20-inch wheels for $1,200, and a tow bar for $1,200.

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Bentley Mulliner Celebrates 1,000 Bespoke Creations With A Special Bentayga

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Mulliner has just built its 1,000th commission since it was formed back in 2014 as Bentley’s dedicated design team. The project was for a European customer who wanted specific interior features for their Bentayga.

The customer’s first request was the use of Olive Ash veneer, which is typically found in the Mulsanne, and their second request was the inclusion of a contrasting twin stitch to the seat uppers and door trims.

See Also: Thanks To Mulliner, Your Bentley Bentayga Can Have Stone Veneers and Tweed Accents

While this Bentayga is certainly not the most daunting project Mulliner has undertaken, that’s not to say it isn’t interesting, as aside from it’s special status, it wears a unique eggplant over tan color scheme with black exterior accents.

Flash back seven years, and Mulliner’s first project was a limited run of 15 Flying Spurs that focused on increased passenger comfort and featured reworked seats and headrests as well as an exclusive diamond-quilted pattern on the cabin upholstery. Even to this day you can still get the pattern on the Continental GT Mulliner.

Read More: Bentley Wants To Be More Sustainable So It Turned To Scotch-Maker The Macallan For Help

Regarding the milestone, Paul Williams, Director of Mulliner and Motorsport, said: “Since 2014, our Mulliner Design team has averaged three customer commissions a week, showing just how popular bespoke Bentleys are becoming. The team, led by Design Manager Phill Dean, has worked on everything from Continental GT3 liveries all the way up to the specifications and details of the 12 cars of the Blower Continuation Series. The only thing all of those designs have in common is that they are for individual customers – apart from that, each one is as unique as the rest.”

“The scope of what’s achievable with a standard production Bentley has now been brought to life by the team through the use of the dedicated Mulliner visualizer, which allows our customers to choose the colour and trim specifications of their cars with real-time photorealistic visualization of the result. The co-creation process with Mulliner designers is now available to everyone.”

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2021 VW Polo GTI Takes After Its Big Brother With Tweaked Looks, Driver Assist Systems

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The 2021 Polo GTI has been unveiled just two months after the other facelifted versions of the subcompact hatch.

Beginning with the exterior, the Polo GTI features the same styling changes as the standard models, with the Honey-I-Shrunk-The-Golf looks making it slightly more challenging to differentiate from its bigger brother. That means new head and tail lights, which include VW’s new IQ.Light LED matrix headlights and illuminated front grille. At the back, you’ll find Audi-esque lighting, including dynamic turn signals and an “animated brake light.”

Other visual cues include revised GTI-specific bumpers, and of course, its fair share of GTI insignias dotted around the exterior, with the rear centrally-placed “Polo” badge replaced with a GTI instead. Up front, the characteristic red line of the GTI on the grille bleeding into the headlights is still there.

Read: Golf-Lookalike 2022 VW Polo Facelift Brings Matrix LED Lights, Digital Instruments And Big-Car Safety Tech

Engines And Chassis

Under the hood, things have stayed largely the same, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot delivering 207 PS (152 kW/ ) and 320 Nm of torque, the same as the outgoing model, powering the front wheels. It’s good enough for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 240 km/h (150 mph) — figures that remain unchanged from the pre-facelift car.

As expected, the 2021 Polo GTI still comes with a lowered suspension and an electronic differential. Also optional is VW’s “Sport Select” suspension, which can firm up the ride in conjunction with standard drive select profiles that take care of steering, engine response, and gearbox shifts. The gearbox remains a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch unit.

New Infotainment System

Fans of the GTI’s hallmark tartan interiors can rest easy, as the 2021 Polo GTI retains the look and offers optional sports seats. The dash trim is now finished in glossy red, while multiple matte-chrome accents abound. The most significant change, though, is the inclusion of VW’s new infotainment system, with a hi-res 8.0-inch touch screen as standard. Customers also have the option of upgrading to the 9.2-inch “Discover Pro” system, while the new features of these revised systems include access to streaming services, the ability to save driver profiles to the cloud, and wireless integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For the first time, the 2021 VW Polo GTI includes partial autonomous driving features under the umbrella of VW’s IQ.Drive. You get various options, including predictive adaptive cruise control, lane assist, radar, and more.

As yet, there’s no word on European availability nor prices, but the new Polo is expected to hit showroom floors in the coming months.

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VW’s Little 2022 Taos Gets Its Bigger Brother’s Rugged “Basecamp” Treatment

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Volkswagen of America has unveiled a new accessory line for its latest crossover, the Taos. Buyers will be able to option the little crossover with a series of visual upgrades that provide it with a more rugged appearance.

Inspired by the Basecamp accessory line that first graced the Atlas, Volkswagen’s biggest SUV, buyers will be able to option the Taos with front and rear fender flares with integrated splash guards, lower door side plates, and a front grille “Basecamp” badge.

The dealer-installed accessories will cost $999 all-in, but you can order just the side plates or the fender flares individually. The Basecamp badge is only available with the full package.

Read Also: VW Taos Basecamp Concept Aims To Appeal To The Jeep Crowd

The production Taos Basecamp package above isn’t as wild as VW led us to believe with the Taos Concept below

“The Taos makes a bold first impression,” said Hein Schafer, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategy at Volkswagen of America. “Our goal is to build on the vehicle’s dynamic exterior design and provide customers with an extensive catalog of accessory options that cater directly to their desires for distinctive styling and functionality.”

Along with the Basecamp-themed accessories, Volkswagen also offers a range of other accessories like Rubber MuddyBuddy and carpeted Monster Mats to help protect the floor, or Bumperdillo guards to protect the rear bumper while loading and unloading cargo.

The Basecamp trim was unveiled as an Atlas-based concept at the New York Auto Show in 2019 and was then offered for sale in 2020. The package includes a two-tone bumper guard, textured fender flares with splash guards, side door rocker panels, a special rear valence with access for a trailer hitch, and special 17-inch off-roady wheels designed for the package by fifteen52.

The larger 2021 VW Atlas with the Basecamp package

Similarly, the Basecamp accessories for the Taos were preceded by a wilder looking concept that was unveiled on May 19. It featured wheels by fifteen52, H&R Special Springs, all-terrain tires, and a two-tone paint job. Unfortunately, the accessories offered to customers are toned down from that concept quite a bit.

The Taos, along with the Basecamp accessories, will be available to buyers this month.

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The New Bentley Continental GT Speed Will Happily Drift On Demand

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Bentley has invited UK media for a first go in their new Continental GT Speed at Silverstone, releasing at the same time all the technical details of the “most dynamic road-going Bentley ever made” and a new image gallery.

In addition to packing more firepower, the new Continental GT Speed is the first to feature a rear-steering system, as well as the first Bentley with a rear electronically-controlled limited-slip differential.

Read More: The New 650 HP Bentley Continental GT Speed Is A Country Gent’s GT-R

The result, according to Bentley, is not only a more agile super GT but one that can actually drift itself out of a corner. The newly calibrated Sport drive mode limits the available to the front axle to 28 percent and almost shuts off the counter-oversteer torque applied in the Comfort and Bentley drive modes.

In addition, the new Continental GT Speed can be optioned with the largest car brakes in the world, featuring 440 mm carbon discs at the front with giant 10-piston calipers. Bentley says that their latest-generation carbon brakes save 77 lbs (35 kg) of unsprung mass and are exceptionally fade resistant.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find Bentley’s familiar twin-turbo 6.0-liter W12 engine, which has been upgraded to 650 HP (659 PS), up from the regular model’s 626 HP (635 PS). Torque remains the same, rated at a colossal 664 lb-ft (900 Nm). Moreover, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission can change gears in half the time of the standard Conti GT when in Sport mode.

As a result, the new Continental GT Speed can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds) and reach a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h).

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2021 Seat Leon Hatch And Sportstourer Get VW Group’s 190PS Petrol Powertrain

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Seat has launched a new petrol powertrain for the 2021 Leon hatchback and Sportstourer (ST).

It has a 2.0-liter displacement and boasts several enhancements, such as direct injection, new turbo and reduced friction, that lower carbon dioxide emissions and improve fuel consumption.

The Spanish automaker claims that it returns between 6.7 and 7.2 l/100 km (35.1-32.7 mpg US) in the hatchback and 6.7-7.3 l/100 km (35.1-32.2 mpg US) in the ST, while emitting 151-164 and 151-165 g/km of CO2 respectively on the WLTP test cycle.

Also Watch: Seat Leon Is A Nice All-Rounder, But Is It The Best In Its Class?

The engine, which is already available in several VW Group models, including the new Skoda Octavia, produces 190 PS (187 HP / 140 kW) at 4,200-6,000 rpm and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque from 1,500 to 4,100 rpm. It is coupled to a seven-speed DSG transmission and front-wheel drive, allowing the Leon hatch to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.4 seconds. The Sportstourer model is two tenths of a second slower.

The 2021 Leon with the new 2.0 TSI power unit sports front ventilated brake discs that measure 312×25 mm (12.3×1 in) at the front and solid disc brakes at the rear.

The Leon 2.0 TSI should arrive in showrooms across Europe shortly considering that production has already kicked off at the Martorell facility, in Spain, this week.

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2022 Corvette C8 Starts From AU$144,990 In Australia, Sales Start In Q4

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Australian enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the right-hand drive (RHD) C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray ever since it was unveiled in mid-2019 and finally, pricing and availability details for the car have been announced.

Set to be sold by the newly-established General Motors Speciality Vehicles (GMSV), the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette will be offered in five flavors, kicking off with the 2LT trim that’s priced from AU$144,990 (US$110,189) plus on-road costs.

Those who want something more will be able to buy the 3LT trim level from AU$160,500 (US$121,976) plus on-roads. The hardtop range will then be topped out by a special Carbon Edition, pricing details of which have not yet been announced. Importantly, all C8 Corvette models imported into Australia will come as standard with the must-have Z51 Performance pack that includes magnetically-controlled suspension, enlarged Brembo brakes, a new rear spoiler, electronically-controlled limited-slip differential, and a unique exhaust. Aussie cars also land standard with a front-axle lift system.

Details about the Corvette Carbon Edition are limited at this stage but it will reportedly receive hand-picked interior trims, distinctive wheels, a bespoke finish on the brake calipers, and an ‘owners pack’, details of which have yet to be confirmed.

Read Also: 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Spotted In Right-Hand Drive Guise

The 2022 Corvette will also be offered in Convertible guise with the same 2LT and 3LT trim levels, each priced at an extra AU$15,000 (US$11,399) over comparable coupe models.

Chevrolet will begin producing right-hand drive Corvettes for the Australian market in the final quarter with deliveries expected just before Christmas.

“The Corvette is one of the world’s most recognizable sports cars and over-delivers (on) performance expected of such a machine. It is the epitome of a true icon as it has heritage, performance and unparalleled desirability – generation after generation,” GMSV head Jo Stogiannis said in a statement.