Suzuki launches heavy bikes in Pakistan

If you’d hide the Suzuki logo and then show the pictures of the launch event to anyone, no one would believe it was Suzuki’s event, the world’s most boring company. The event, as covered by our members was totally mad; dancing girls, greedy businessman, bags full of money and then some crazy bikers brought their bikes on the stage.

One sports and two heavy bikes were launched on that event and as members told that as many as ten were booked on the spot at the event.

Suzuki Hayabusa which is a 1300cc superbike, has been introduced at a un-earthly price of 2,400,000 rupees while Intruder M800, which is a 805cc cruising bike has been introduced at a price of 1,500,000 rupees and the last bike called ‘Inazuma’, probably named after some Japanese Sumo wrestling legend is a 250cc bike at a price of 675,000 rupees.

Speedking – My 58

The dash of colour proves the old saying that less is more. A completely red chopper would look ludicrous, like something a clown would launch off a ramp under the big top, but a black one with a touch of cherry red screams awesome. Note too the extreme slope leading to a much lower seat, adding to the bike’s sleek look.

2010 Harley-Davidson Street Bob

There’s one other point of contention when it comes to defining a chopper, and try as we might there’s just no avoiding it. That is, some will argue that only Harley-Davidsons can be choppers – all other makes are wannabes. They will argue this to the death. (Your death, make no mistake, not theirs.) On this, I offer no opinion. You’re nuts if you think I’m getting in the middle of it all. Again, this owner of this bike knows the power of restraint. This is a nice bike. With shortened forks, the most prominent features are the handlebars, or “ape hangers”, as cool people like me refer to them.

Lochness Chopper Concept

In 20 years, will everyone be riding bikes like this? Will this entry look prescient, like 50 percent of Back to the Future 2, or be lamented as a missed opportunity, like the other 50 percent of Back to the Future 2? This is without question a chopper, a highly, highly customized chopper, which the Iranian designer named after the mythical Loch Ness monster. One has yet to take to the streets but my goodness wouldn’t people stop and admire if it did.

The Worst
Siemens Smart Chopper

This is, so we’re told, the first electric chopper ever built. At full charge, it has a range of 100 km, and can go up to 160 km/h. Of course, this chopper will save on fuel. It will especially save on fuel because no one will want to ride it. Seriously, though, it’s great that electric choppers are starting to appear, and with luck future ones will appear a little more stylish, without the blatant corporate branding.

New Model Toyota Vitz 2016 Price in Pakistan, Pics, Specs

Toyota has launched its Latest Model Toyota Vitz 2016 in Pakistan and other parts of the world as well. It is a Japanese car with an attractive look. It has a hatchback body type. This car, after its release, in no time has become famous in the young generation of Pakistan due to its unique look and appealing body colors. It is an international car and it is launched in some other countries named as Toyota Yaris.

>> Performance

This master piece from Toyota provides you with great performance. It is easy to drive and it has a good grip on all kinds of roads in Pakistan. It has an engine that doesn’t misbehave in any kind of situation, even if a lot of load is put on it. It is used by young generation mostly, that is the description to its good performance.

>> Safety and Attractiveness

New Model Toyota VITZ 2016 has the best safety features in it. Toyota has used EBD technology along with anti lock breaking system that has made it a safe car to use and drive. The advanced suspension system has also been embedded in it to stop it from any jerks or etc.

So, overall it is a safe car to use for everyone. It has a vast range of colors in it. This feature of its availability in different colors is an essential feature owing to which this car is famous in the young generation.

>> Interior

Toyota VITZ went under slight modifications from its recent models. It has the capacity of 5 persons. Its driver seat is height adjustable and it has bucket front seats. It has a clock and trip computer and it also has the external temperature display.

2016 Ferrari 488GTB Revealed! The 458 Successor Goes Turbo

Official Photos and Info
Can you feel the generational shift? That change in the supercar game comes from Ferrari, which has unveiled its new eight-cylinder, mid-engine sports-car standard-bearer, and the successor to the much-loved 458 Italia sees the insane-revving, naturally aspirated V-8 retired in favor of a turbocharged unit. This follows Ferrari’s recent promise that all of its future engines will be turbocharged or hybridized.

Power and Speed
The new engine is smaller than its predecessor, and its displacement of 488 cubic centimeters per cylinder gives the car its name: 488GTB. Multiplied by eight, that works out to 3902 cc for the new 90-degree V-8, which is mated to, as was the 458’s V-8, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite the 0.6-liter reduction in displacement, the new engine makes more power: 661 horsepower at 8000 rpm, versus 597 horsepower at 9000 rpm for the 458 Speciale. Torque, predictably, is greater as well, reaching 561 lb-ft at a low 3000 rpm, far eclipsing the 458 Speciale’s 398 lb-ft.

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2016 Ferrari 488GTB Revealed! The 458 Successor Goes Turbo
2016 Ferrari 488GTB Revealed! The 458 Successor Goes Turbo
A SMALLER ENGINE, BUT IT BRINGS MORE POWER AND MORE SPEED.

FEB 2015 BY JOE LORIO MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Official Photos and Info
Can you feel the generational shift? That change in the supercar game comes from Ferrari, which has unveiled its new eight-cylinder, mid-engine sports-car standard-bearer, and the successor to the much-loved 458 Italia sees the insane-revving, naturally aspirated V-8 retired in favor of a turbocharged unit. This follows Ferrari’s recent promise that all of its future engines will be turbocharged or hybridized.

Power and Speed
The new engine is smaller than its predecessor, and its displacement of 488 cubic centimeters per cylinder gives the car its name: 488GTB. Multiplied by eight, that works out to 3902 cc for the new 90-degree V-8, which is mated to, as was the 458’s V-8, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite the 0.6-liter reduction in displacement, the new engine makes more power: 661 horsepower at 8000 rpm, versus 597 horsepower at 9000 rpm for the 458 Speciale. Torque, predictably, is greater as well, reaching 561 lb-ft at a low 3000 rpm, far eclipsing the 458 Speciale’s 398 lb-ft.


Ferrari credits the engine’s extreme performance to a range of efficiency improvements over the 458’s V-8. For instance, an ion-sensing system helps control ignition timing and is a more exact method of detecting knock. High-tumble intake ports help air rush onto the scene of combustion crime, where fuel is directly injected at a pressure of 2900 psi. The oil pump pushes lubrication at varying levels on demand. Decreased friction in the valvetrain absorbs 10 percent less power.

Like the screaming, naturally aspirated 458, the 488 uses an engine with a flat-plane crankshaft that should help it retain the “seductive soundtrack” that Ferrari promises. The 458 lacks artificial aspiration, but the Maranello carmaker claims that the new car’s twin-turbocharged engine has “zero turbo lag.” The twin-scroll turbos themselves use premium componentry such as shafts mounted on ball bearings and compressor wheels hewn from a low-density alloy of titanium and aluminum. Ferrari even trumpets “a special seal on the turbine housing [that] ensures a minimum gap between it and the compressor wheel for maximum efficiency.”

Variable Torque Management helps get the power all the way to the rear wheels posthaste. Ferrari claims that the superquick seven-speed transmission will enable the engine to hit the rev limiter in fourth gear just six seconds after the car leaves from a stop.

The extra oomph shaves only fractions of a second from the official Fiorano lap time compared with the latest and greatest iteration of the 458, the Speciale A (which just debuted last fall). The 488GTB gets around Fiorano in 1:23.0, a half-second quicker than the Speciale A. The two cars both claim a 3.0-second zero-to-62-mph time. As speeds increase, however, the 488GTB shows its advantage, reaching 124 mph in 8.3 seconds, compared to its forebear’s 9.5. The 488GTB also is said to be capable of 205 mph, 3 mph higher than the now-completely-useless 458 Speciale A. Brembo Extreme Design brakes—derived from the LaFerrari’s—help haul down the 488 in nine-percent less linear space than the 458’s lesser binders could accomplish. These features and figures should help the Ferrari do battle with the Lamborghini Huracán and the McLaren 650S, the latter of which will beget a higher-performance variant, the 675LT, at Geneva.

Airing It Out

Aside from the revolutionary change affecting the redheaded beauty under the plexiglass cover, the specs indicate that the 488GTB otherwise hews closely to the formula that has been so successful in the 458. The shapely new body is 1.6 inches longer than the 458 Italia’s, 0.6 inch wider, and identical in height. Ferrari says the new car has less aerodynamic drag but creates 50 percent greater downforce (stated as 717 pounds at 155 mph). Large, body-side air intakes are split into two sections and are supposed to reference the original mid-engine, eight-cylinder Ferrari, the 308. Among the 488’s airflow-managing elements are an “Aero Pillar” on the front end, “vortex generators” underneath, and active flaps in the rear diffuser. A “blown spoiler”—trickle-down Formula 1 technology—funnels air in through a wide channel at the base of the rear window and out the back of the car, just above the license plate. (Ferrari released this cool video of the aerodynamics at work.)

Ferrari’s quoted “dry weight” (at 3020 pounds) is 22 pounds lighter than it cites for the standard 458 Italia, with 53.5 percent pressing down on the rear wheels. (The forged 20-inch wheels themselves save 18 pounds.) For reference, the lightest 458 Italia we’ve weighed tipped our scales at 3325 pounds in road-ready trim.

Familiar Environs

Inside, there’s much that looks familiar, with the photos showing aggressively bolstered, Daytona-style seats, conventional knobs and switches (no touch screen here), and a complete absence of column stalks. The multifunction steering wheel includes buttons even for lights, wipers, and turn signals, in addition to the damper setting, engine start, and Ferrari’s manettino chassis-control switch. Viewed through the steering wheel is the large, central tachometer with digital gear indicator, and it’s flanked by configurable screens. New seats and door panels are designed to make the interior more humane. A fresh key design mimics the shape of the engine’s intake plenums and permits passive entry and starting. Optional carbon-fiber trim can cover various parts of the interior (and the exterior aero fillips); also optional are a telemetry system like that in the LaFerrari and a 12-speaker, 1280-watt stereo.

One of the more intriguing bits of technology is Ferrari’s Side Slip Angle Control. It debuted on the 458 Speciale but this time around is “more precise yet less invasive”—which is how we generally like things. It harnesses the electronically controlled rear differential, the traction control system, and—now—the electronically controlled dampers to enable greater tail-out antics. Sounds like huge fun, eh?

First, though, you’ve got to get your hands on one. There’s no word yet on pricing, but for reference, Ferrari currently asks $243,000 for a 458, so figure something north of there. For those special customers deemed worthy, deliveries of the 488GTB start in Europe in July, while U.S. buyers will have to wait until sometime in the latter half of 2015. Those who aren’t on the list will have their chance to see Ferrari’s new-generation sports car at the Geneva auto show—but the first stateside opportunity might not be until the Pebble Beach festivities in August.

2016 10Best Cars

WE GO TO THE PLANTS AND PROVING GROUNDS TO FIND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE CARS WE LOVE FOR 2016.

10Best involves more than drawing up lists of our sub-$80,000 favorites. Every year we enter our weeklong evalu­ation looking for new and improved combinations of virtues: value and engagement, performance and poise, sights and sounds, soul and character. The cars that earn this award do more than merely succeed on one or two criteria; they come to us fully formed, polished, complete. But how do they get that way? This year we delve deeper into our winners’ makings to better explain why they won. Who builds and develops these cars? Where? How do they go about it? What is a 10Bester truly made of? There are, of course, varied answers because cars are not simple things. You do not buy them on Etsy, and we’re not running a Maker Faire here. Automobiles are still the most complex and technologically advanced consumer products that man has ever devised. What follows in this section is our proof.

2016 10Best Cars: BMW M235i

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2016 10Best Cars: BMW M235i

2016 10Best Cars: BMW M235i

A PRODUCT OF ITS ENVIRONMENT.

NOV 2015 BY DAVEY G. JOHNSON MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHERS

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10Best Cars

To sort out the “how” of the BMW M235i’s construction, one must start roughly 30 million years ago, when the African continental plate started its eons-long rumble with the Eurasian plate, squeezing the Alps up out of the earth. Fortuitously, a century ago, an aero-engine factory set up shop in Munich, at the foot of the Bavarian swath of these mountains, whereupon it started building motorcycles and later moved to automobiles.

The “how,” then, is inextricably linked to the “where.” Imagine if Henry Ford and William Crapo Durant had set up shop in Denver, logging early development miles on the serpentine, challenging Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Route 550). Perhaps Detroit’s boulevardiers, so perfect for eating up the long, flat miles of the American Midwest, might have turned out differently. Perhaps more like BMWs.

Assembly Plant: Leipzig, GermanyOther U.S.-Market Models Constructed at Leipzig: i3, i8

Famed for their driver-centered nature, BMW’s vehicles have lately become more things to more folks. It sold nearly 100,000 trucks in the U.S. this year, almost a third of the brand’s volume. But this M variant of the 2-series still does exactly what we expect of the company’s machines. The steering informs you of the road’s every nuance. Squeeze the brakes for a corner and the lower-right side of your foot drops easily onto the accelerator to match engine revs for a downshift. It’s the sort of stuff that always seemed so natural to the marque’s cars that one assumed the engineers didn’t even sweat it, that this sort of correctness was baked into Bavarian genes sometime in the Middle Ages and only revealed itself upon the advent of the automobile.

“Exhibits the kind of focus that one used to take for granted in a BMW.” –J. Lorio

We once heard this perhaps-apocryphal story: American BMW dealers in the Sun Belt sent a litany of complaints back to Germany about the uselessness of Euro-spec air-conditioning systems. The factory scoffed, but finally deigned to send over an engineer as a sop to an important market. The poor guy was thrown in the back seat of a black car, windows rolled up, and driven across a summer-scorched Texas until Munich got the message.

The flip side of that sometimes-maddening Teutonic belief in its engineering rectitude is that we still have cars like the M235i, even as the need to be all things to all people around the globe conspires to put these sorts of cars at risk.

The M235i takes everything BMW has traditionally done well and concentrates it into a compact, livable package. The 320-hp 3.0-liter turbo six doles out sweet, smooth power. The chassis isn’t punishing the way the M235i’s larger M-badged siblings can be. And with the M2 now on the way, the M235i should be forever freed from the need to post fantasy performance numbers.

While BMW has succumbed to selling indulgences, the M235i coupe stands as the right auto­mobile for just about any road, whether your daily commute is a stoplight horror or the sort of Alpine pass that BMW engineers slalom home on after heli-skiing weekends. The guys responsible for this wonderful thing should probably just nail a picture of the car to the front door in Munich. It worked for Martin Luther.

How We’d Build It

We’d keep our M235i trim by opting for BMW’s no-cost synthetic SensaTec upholstery, adding the dealer-installed limited-slip differential ($3240), and saving 200 bucks over the Cold Weather package by opting for just the heated seats ($500). The rest of our choices are no-cost decisions: summer tires to best exploit the car’s handling prowess and, naturally, a manual transmission. Total damage: $48,885.

2015 BMW M235i xDrive (6 of 17)

Best cars of CES 2016: BMW, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Faraday Future and more

It's often said that in recent years CES has become as much of a car show as it is a tech show. With the auto industry desperate to attract new consumers and drive extra profit by making their cars more of a connected device - indeed the interface is now one of the most important and fast changing aspects of a car's design - it's no surprise that one of CES's halls was almost entirely dedicated to things on four wheels.
And with autonomous driving technology looking like a big theme for 2016, driverless cars predicted to be on the road post 2020, CES has become an ideal place to launch a car.
Here are the best cars and car-related technologies of 2016, plus what might be coming to a road near you sooner than you think...
Faraday Future FFZero1 Concept
No sooner had we touched down in Vegas than we were off to the launch of the most mysterious new car company the internet saw in 2015 - Faraday Future. Based in LA, but backed by money from the man behind LeTV, Faraday had promised to change the future of mobility and challenge Tesla's position of the darling of silicon valley.
The launch event didn't quite deliver on the promise though. Faraday unveiled the FFZero1 concept, pictured above - a sort of Batman-meets-Thunderbirds single seat racer. A typical flight-of-fantasy concept, it got Faraday the headlines it craved - and with its carbon fibre body, tech-laden Nasa-inspired cabin, it certainly deserves the attention of your eyes.
The real point though is to show off a new flexible electric vehicle platform - with batteries strung out along it like Christmas tree lights - and which should give Faraday the ability to produce some real saloons and SUVs you can drive, within the next 3 years. One worth watching.

Volkswagen Budd-e Concept

VW has made concepts that reimagine its famous microbus before. Does the Budd-e symbolise it might actually put one into production? Perhaps, but its bigger role to play here is to try and help Volkswagen out of the pickle it's in here in the US.
The scandal of NOx emissions from its diesel engine cars has dented the brand's reputation, and the Budd-e symbolises the company throwing its full weight behind electric drive - the Budd-E sits on a new electric modular matrix platform, which might see service under other future electric products from the VW group, like the production follow-up to the Porsche Mission E.
Budd-e was billed as all-electric, with a real range of 300-miles, which on the US EPA rating scale equates to 233 miles. It'll also charge to 80 per cent in 30 minutes and uses a completely new electric architecture with a battery flat under the floor. Expect it to be quick, too.
Inside there's a wrap around bench-sofa in the back, and to encourage more "community" between the rear occupants, there's a single large screen where they're encouraged to share content. The driver's not badly off either, with a pair of reconfigurable HD display screens and a host of subtle tech features, like the ability to open the doors with a gestural wave of the hand.

BMW i Vision Future Interaction

If the i Vision Future Interaction looks familiar, it's not your eyes playing tricks on you. Yes, it looks startlingly similar to the BMW i8 that we first drove back in the summer of 2014. Before that car appeared, BMW's last concept preview of it was the i8 Spyder - which is basically what this car is.
Although the exterior remains as eye-catching as ever (and particularly when painted in a fetching shade of ginger) the big news is inside, where BMW is showcasing ideas around future interface design and new interaction methods.
The i Vision builds on the gesture technologies seen in the new 7-Series, except here they're different "air gestures" in BMW speak, using sensors on three parts of the dash. As the 20-inch curved OLED screen across the top of the dash is huge it allows both driver and passenger to grab and select, "push" to the back, and "pull" to the front.
Gone is BMW's tradition iDrive rotary selector, but you still physically use your hands with this system - there's a touch pad hidden under the leather of the centre armrest and in the sill to allow you select things. It features autonomous tech too. All sounds complex? It works surprisingly well, as we found during our hands-on with it.

Mercedes E-Class (interior)

Mercedes will officially unveil the E-Class at the Detoit Motor Show. The exterior is set to take on the looks of a big C-Class, but the interior is more of a departure as we saw on the Mercedes stand at CES 2016.
It takes its cues from the larger S-Class, which means you get two 12-inch TFT displays stacked side-by-side along the top of the dash. In the S-Class they're clearly separate units, but in the E-Class Mercedes has joined them together much more seamlessly, making them look like one of the longest, thinnest screens you've ever seen.
The other big departure is that you'll be able to configure your E-Class's display between three different modes: a sporty one; a classic one; and a modern one, which completely change the digital display graphics, colours and even level of information displayed.
Elsewhere, Mercedes sticks with its haptic command controller, although rather than a scroll wheel the interaction method of this unit is becoming focused on the touchpad that sits atop it.

Cars of CES - Chevrolet Bolt

Chevrolet Bolt
The Bolt is the most important production car debut at CES 2016. Its slightly silly name might give you a clue to its relationship with the other electric vehicle in Chevrolet's line up, the Volt. Whereas the Volt is a range-extended plug-in hybrid which does around 50-miles on a charge before calling on a gasoline motor to help out, the Bolt is fully electric.
The Bolt, therefore, has a range of around 200-miles, a big step up on the mainstream electric cars like Nissan's Leaf and BMW's i3 of today. In fact, right now it's second best only to Tesla. Except GM says you'll be able to get a Bolt for around $30k.
B-sector crossover sized, the Bolt joins one of the fastest growing vehicle segments and features a host of technologies such as GM's proprietary on-Star telematics system here in the US, the MyLink touchscreen interface (which can provide internet connectivity) and an on-call assistant to help you find destinations and deal with vehicle problems. It'll support CarPlay and Android Auto too.
Its styling clearly takes a lead from BMW's i cars with its black plastic graphics breaking up the body. But if GM brings the car to market at the price it promises, this could be a real game-changer in the EV market.
Having pulled the Chevrolet brand out of Europe, us Europeans just need mother brand GM to put the same technology under something wearing an Opel/Vauxhall badge.

Rinspeed Etos concept

Swiss brand Rinspeed has a habit of turning out challenging and wild concept car designs, but behind them there's always a strong tech story. It normally shows off its latest ideas at Europe's Geneva motorshow in the spring, but this year it has brought its Etos concept to CES and is showing it at partner Harman's showcase.
Based on BMW's i8 hybrid supercar, the Etos is a concept for the future of autonomous driving, highly connected cars. It features a "helipad" to land a drone on, and a twin screen display setup which brings some serious architectural changes to the i8 interior.
These 21.5-inch, curved 4K screens work in harmony with Harman's new Livs cloud connectivity and a new partnership with Microsoft for productivity in the car. Cortana will set you up a Skype call, a watch on the dash spins round to act as camera and then the car puts itself into autonomous mode while you're on the call, even rerouting to ensure the best connection.
It's not all about the tech though. It's refreshing to see a driverless car concept suggesting that when the car's doing the hard work you might sit back, relax and actually read a book.

P1230254 copy

Panasonic interior concept
Now here's a name you might not always think about when it comes to all things automotive, but Panasonic is deeply embedded in the industry - it even provides the batteries for Tesla.
At CES 2016 the company took the opportunity to show off its future concept, combining many of the company's own technologies - the curved OLED rear-view mirror and variety of touchscreen panels around the car, for example - with a conceptual user interface.
The all-electric speedos behind the wheel, for example, are powered by Unreal Engine - something you'd be more likely to see in the world of gaming than in a car. But it makes sense to leverage powerful graphics for smoother, more demanding animations and real-time playback.
The concept was just as passenger focused as it was for the driver, with a large display on the passenger side in addition to a central one. Controls are handled by a touchscreen interface to the centre column, which combines a physical rotational dial with multiple functions. There's even a camera-based rear-view mirror which adjusts position as you physically move it.

Best high-tech cars of the 2016 Geneva auto show

 The Geneva Auto Show brings together new cars even the wealthy can’t always afford (Bugatti Chiron, $2.6 million) with station wagons and subcompact cars unlikely to ever come to the United States (Audi Q2). That said, it’s an important show because Geneva is neutral territory for the world’s automakers (“Swiss car industry” is almost an oxymoron), and because unlike the Frankfurt show, this one is held every year. It’s also the last major show of the 2015-16 except for the New York International Auto Show at the end of March.

Here’s our take on best and most intriguing cars from the 88th Geneva International Motor Show (2016), which runs through March 16.

 Hyundai Ioniq combustion, EV, or plug-in

2012 Geneva Motor Show - i-oniq

The show car isn’t quite as sexy as the prototype Ioniq (inset). But it’s important because the Hyundai Ioniq will come in three variants: hybrid, electric vehicle, and plug-in hybrid. It’s an all-new chassis design and it’s the first dedicated hybrid model, as opposed to, say, the Hyundai Sonata hybrid that is a variant of the Sonata line. This is part of Hyundai’s plan to have 22 hybrid, EV or plug-in hybrid models introduced by 2020. Sibling Kia will get a similar set of cars.

First to market will be the Ioniq Hybrid with a new, 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) Kappa engine generating 104 hp and 57 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in gets the same engine plus a battery pack that’s good for 31 miles or 50 km before the combustion engine kicks in. The all-electric Ioniq gets a 28 kWh lithium ion polymer battery and 118 hp electric motor that should deliver 155 miles or 250 km of driving.

Nor surprisingly, the Ioniq targets the Toyota Prius. Dimensions are close: The Ioniq is 185 inches long versus 178 inches for Prius. It’s also 2 inches wider, but 1 inch shorter. Weight is virtually the same, just over 3,000 pounds for each. Both take 10-11 seconds to reach 60 mph

 Volvo V90 wagon

Volvo is extending its scalable product architecture (SPA) modular platform that began with last year’s highly regarded Volvo XC90 SUV, followed by the Volvo S90 sedan, and now the Volvo V90 wagon. It’s sleek enough that it might just get Americans interested in station wagons again, although the sloped rear is going to cost it cargo room.

As with other SPA Volvos, it can be had with a turbocharger, turbocharger and supercharger, or a hybrid that uses the combustion engine (or electric motor) to power the front wheels and a motor, only, for the rear. As with its XC90 and S90 siblings, there’ll be a large, vertically mounted touchscreen in the center stack. This may be the slickest, sleekest wagon you’ve ever seen, or driven. Soccer moms who abandoned minivans for SUVs may make another leap, to wagons.

 Rolls Royce Black Badge editions

P90211814-highResThe Black Badge series provides a murdered out (you can look it up) bespoke variation of the Rolls-Royce Wraith and Ghost. Much of what is normally chrome is blacked out, including the Spirit of Ecstacy (the hood ornament). It’s a nice antidote to #OscarsSoWhite. Interior leathers can be more than the usual tan-black-gray (inset). Even the optional starlight headliner, which shows a moving map of the heavens, can have a black layer. The road wheels, black of course, are made of aluminum and 22 layers of carbon fiber. All this is intended to appeal to younger Rolls-Royce buyers, the ones under 40, perhaps under 30, who’ve made it already.

If you’re confused about the Black Badge aura, maybe this will help: “Black Badge is an attitude to life, an aspect of the Rolls-Royce brand that appeals to those people who are elusive and defiant, the risk takers and disruptors who break the rules and laugh in the face of convention,” says Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “They are driven by a restless spirit. They play hard and they change the world. Technically and aesthetically Black Badge is the alter ego of Rolls-Royce, darker, more assertive, more confident and powerful, and more demanding. With Black Badge we have created the most commanding presence on the super-luxury landscape. It is a truly transformative moment for our great brand.”

Top Ten Hottest Luxurious Cars of 2016

This is for those people who are crazy about the cars. It would provide them the information about the top ten best hottest luxurious cars of 2016, renowned for the luxury and style. While starting to write on the topic, I would say that 2016 is going to be the year of the hottest cars ever manufactured in this world. As there are number of upcoming, 2016 luxury cars which would be unique for their style, design, interiors, exteriors, and whims build in them. The situation of competition between the automobile manufacturers is like red water. Every manufacturer is trying to release a unique and highly renowned model of the automobile line. Chevrolet, Mazda, Mercedes and Scion are the companies who are working hard for their upcoming models of 2016 so that these models can gain good fame in the market. Not only the design, but the speed, grip, comfort and other luxuries are the focal points for all of these manufacturers. However, other manufacturers like Toyota and Honda also don’t want to remain behind in this race and are working well on their new models. Let’s have a look at ten most luxurious and the hottest car models for 2016, there features and fixtures and other subtleties.

10. Mazda MX-5 Miata

This is the third time in the century that Mazda is going to redesign its automobile. In the year 2016 MX-5 Miata would going to be the modest automobile by Mazda. It would be having many remarkable things in it deign. The glorious interior is not only better one but are also more accommodating. Moreover, this is a lighter weight machine with 150 pounds decrease. SKYACTIV is a new technology being introduced in this model, which would increase the remarkableness of the car.

9. Scion iA

Scion IA is a special automobile by Scion for the youth. IA is a small automobile having a multiple gadgets and accessories in it. However, this automobile can come in customized version in which you can make certain accessories of your choice. The capacity of the engine is comparatively low while compared with the other cars on the list, however, its low cost and high productivity would be reason for the fame it has earned till now. This automobile is manufactured by hibernating the characteristics of both Toyota and Mazda.

8. Buick Cascada

Although, the sales of Buick has not been very good in recent years, the company is planning to bring it back by introducing Buick Cascada in 2016. With this much positive approach towards the automobile, Buick has designed this machine with a unique touch. It would be an open-air automobile having a curved shape. The insulation on the top of the automobile can get open and fold in only 17 seconds. And it can be done even if a car is moving (not at a speed more than 31 miles per hours). Along with meeting all other requirements of the market grade, Cascada would have a flexible back seat design that would allow four people to adjust it. Else than that, it has a subscription based build in Wi-Fi to be used by mobiles, etc.

7. Cadillac ATS-V

Cadillac is going to add another fantastic automobile in its product line by introducing Cadillac ATS-V in 2016. It is going to be a high performer automobile that could be able to attain speed to 60 miles per hours in only 4 seconds. It is due to the special sort of engine that has been installed in this machine. The maximum speed of this automobile would be 189 miles per hour. Cadillac has developed a strategy to produce only limited cars of this model, only for those who are loyal for the products of the company since long. However, else that this all, the company has made a record of videos where driving expos are been stored by the users of this car.

6. Cadillac CT6

CT6 is the first car in the product line of luxurious cars in the world by General Motors. It is the first full-size automobile that supports rear drive also. It is going to be the hottest car in 2016 for its style and design and the most luxuries automobile due to the gadgets included in the machine. It has some super technologies loaded in its design, fantastic interiors, and better looks. This car cuts by V8 car due to the powerful engine installed in it. Moreover, this is all wheel drive increasing the grip of the automobile. There are number of features which adds glory to the car and includes a 360-degree view on the screen. The seats of this car are so comfortable, that a drive of several hours will not let the passenger feel tired off.

Top 10 Most-Anticipated Cars to Debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show [SLIDESHOW] 

Lindsay Bjerregaard
JANUARY 04, 2016
Every year the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit sets the annual bar for the automotive industry, with dozens of eagerly awaited cars making their public debut. Robb Report is an official media partner for the 2016 show—which takes place January 11 through 24—and will be broadcasting coverage from its exclusive studio on the show floor. And this year’s NAIAS promises to be an exciting one. With luxury and performance debuts from the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche to long-awaited launches from Fisker and Lexus, NAIAS 2016 is sure to have some standouts. Here are the top 10 most-anticipated luxury cars expected to debut at the show.

CARS: A brand-by-brand look at new 2016 models

The 2016 model year has plenty of workhorses, including new versions of the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Titan pickups, Chevrolet Malibu and Kia Optima sedans and the Honda Civic small car.

But it also has some sparkling show horses. Ford, Audi, Ferrari and Acura all have new supercars. Cadillac is launching the racetrack-ready CTS-V. Dodge is unleashing its fastest Viper ever, and Lamborghini has amped up the power in its Aventador. Drivers with a smaller budget can also have a lot of fun in the new Ford GT350, Audi TT or Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Hyper luxury is in: Bentley is releasing its first SUV and Mercedes has a $189,350 Maybach version of its S-Class sedan with its own fragrance system. The new top-of-the-line Range Rover SVAutobiography starts at just under $200,000.

Carmakers haven't completely forgotten about fuel economy. Many are using more aluminum and high-strength steel to drop weight and improve fuel economy. The new Audi Q7 SUV is 717 pounds lighter than the previous version, while the new Chevrolet Camaro is up to 300 pounds lighter.

Toyota is introducing a new Prius hybrid and a hydrogen fuel cell car, the Mirai, which will be sold in California. Hyundai is releasing a hybrid version of the Sonata sedan. Chevrolet has a new Volt hybrid that goes for 53 miles on battery power alone, and Mercedes, Audi and BMW have new plug-in hybrids.

Here are new or significantly refreshed cars and trucks coming in the 2016 model year, by brand:

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ACURA

ILX: The small sports sedan gets a significant freshening with a new 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that puts out 201 horsepower. It's linked to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. It also gets new front and rear styling with jeweled LED headlights, as well as better noise insulation and thicker door glass. Went on sale in February. Starts at $27,900 excluding shipping.

RDX: Midsize lux SUV is refreshed with a new, more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine that puts out 279 horsepower. The RDX gets updated, rounder styling and jeweled LED headlights. Starts at $35,270 without shipping. Went on sale in April.

MDX: Luxury people-hauler with three rows of seats gets a new nine-speed automatic transmission and a top-end luxury trim line. Went on sale in February starting at $42,865 excluding shipping.

NSX: Acura's build-to-order supercar is all new with a 550-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 and a three-electric-motor sport hybrid system. The mid-mounted engine is mated to a new nine-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The NSX also comes with a multi-material frame that keeps it rigid but lightweight with crisp handling, Acura says. The all-wheel-drive supercar also gets a sleeker design with 10 air-cooled heat exchangers for the powertrain. Due out in the spring with a starting price of about $155,000.

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AUDI

A3 SPORTBACK E-TRON: This is the first plug-in hybrid Audi to hit the market. The five-seat wagon combines a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor powered by a battery hidden under the rear seats. It can be driven in electric mode for up to 19 miles; in hybrid mode, the car decides whether to use the motor, the gas engine or a combination of the two. Fuel economy numbers haven't yet been released. Recharging through a 120-volt outlet takes eight hours; recharging through a 240-volt outlet takes two hours and 15 minutes. Home installation of a 240-volt outlet and home charging station is optional. The Sportback e-tron goes on sale in October starting at $37,900.

A6/A7: Audi's A6 midsize sedan, last redesigned in 2011, gets some significant updates. The front and rear have a taut new design and there are new LED headlights and a wider grille. The A6 has a new, more powerful base engine: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 252 horsepower, up from 220 horsepower in the previous model. The front-wheel-drive version is paired with a new, seven-speed transmission, while the all-wheel-drive quattro version has an eight-speed transmission. Both the A6 and its sibling, the coupe-like A7, also get a new 3.0-liter V6 engine option with 333 horsepower, up 23 horsepower from the previous model. Inside, there's a new wireless hotspot for up to eight devices in the car. There are also new safety features, including night vision with animal detection. The 2016 A6 and A7 went on sale this spring; the A6 starts at $46,200, the A7 at $68,300.

TT: The third generation TT coupe has a sportier, more muscular design and new LED headlights. Audi used more high-strength steel and aluminum to make the new TT lighter and stiffer. The TT coupe and roadster have a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 220 horsepower; the sporty TTS coupe gets a turbocharged four-cylinder with 292 horsepower. Both are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there's a fully digital instrument cluster and the most advanced version of Audi's infotainment system, which reads newspaper headlines and Twitter alerts and can access more than 7,000 Web radio stations. The 2016 TT went on sale this summer, starting at $42,900.

Q7: This is Audi's first full redesign of its three-row, seven-seat SUV in nearly a decade. It has a shorter, leaner, more wagon-like look than its predecessor. Audi managed to shave 717 pounds off the Q7 by using more lightweight materials; the doors, engine hood and rear hatch are all made of aluminum. Audi says the weight savings help make the Q7 26 percent more fuel efficient. U.S. buyers have three engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 252 horsepower; a 3.0-liter turbodiesel with 272 horsepower; or a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 with 333 horsepower. Inside, the Q7 will be Audi's first vehicle that lets drivers access certain smartphone apps through Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto. The Q7 goes on sale early next year. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the current Q7 starts at $48,300.

R8: The second generation of Audi's R8 supercar has a racier, more chiseled look and a top speed of 200.7 miles per hour. It can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds. Thanks to new construction with more extensive aluminum and carbon fiber, the R8 is 110 pounds lighter than the outgoing model. The V10 mid-engine comes in two variants: one with 540 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque and one with 610 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The second is Audi's fastest and most powerful series-production Audi ever. An electric version, the R8 e-tron, is also available. It has a range of nearly 280 miles, up from 133 miles in the outgoing model. The R8 is already on sale in Europe, starting at $180,980. The U.S. sale date hasn't been announced.

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BENTLEY

BENTAYGA: Bentley's first SUV — named for a rugged peak in the Canary Islands — goes on sale early next year. It has an aluminum body and a frame of aluminum and high-strength steel, a Bentley first. It's powered by a 12-cylinder engine, which Bentley says will make it the fastest production SUV in the world. Pricing hasn't been announced, but it's likely to be north of its nearest competitor, the $138,000 Range Rover Autobiography.

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BMW

3 SERIES: The 340i high-performance variant of BMW's most popular line gets a new inline 3-Liter six-cylinder twin turbo that puts out 320 horsepower, 20 better than the current model. There's also the new 330e plug-in hybrid that can go 22 miles on battery power and puts out 250 horsepower. Otherwise, the small BMW sedans and sport wagons get a freshening with a retuned chassis, revamped electric power steering and sportier fronts. Sale date and pricing not announced yet. 340i goes on sale in the fall. Pricing hasn't been revealed.

7 SERIES: The all-new flagship large sedan gets up to 190 pounds lighter and comes with an improved ride and better handling. BMW says it used a lot of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic in the passenger area to help shed the weight. In the U.S. it comes as a 740i and 750i xDrive. The 750i gets a revamped 4.4-liter V8 engine with 445 horsepower. 740i gets latest generation 3-liter inline turbocharged six with 320 hp. Plug-in hybrid 740e coming next year. Can go 23 miles on battery power alone. The 740i starts at $81,300 without shipping, while the 750i xDrive starts at $97,400. Both are available in the fall.

X1: New for 2016, the small SUV gets a roomier interior, more space for cargo and a new 2-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder engine that puts out 228 horsepower. It's mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW says a new chassis enhances handling and ride comfort over the current model. New version is 1.7 inches taller than the old one. Goes on sale in the fall. Price hasn't been released.

X5: BMW's first plug-in hybrid SUV joins the lineup, the X5 xDrive40e. The midsize SUV can go 13 miles on battery power and zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds. It comes with a 2-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder gas engine plus an electric motor. Combined, they put out 308 horsepower. Available in the fall. Price not yet announced.

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BUICK

CASCADA: Buick goes for a little ragtop bling with the Cascada, an American version of a stylish Opel convertible from Europe. The four-seater is the brand's first convertible in a quarter-century, and it comes with a turbocharged 200-horsepower engine, and a safety system that deploys rollover protection bars behind the rear seats if the car detects that a crash is possible. The insulated soft top can be opened in 17 seconds while traveling up to 31 miles per hour. Price hasn't been released yet. The convertible is due in showrooms early next year.

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CADILLAC

ATS-V: High-performance version of Caddy's small sports sedan and coupe. Comes with a 3.6-liter twin-turbo engine that puts out 464 horsepower and the choice of eight-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmissions. Sedan starts at $60,465, the coupe at $62,665, both excluding shipping. Already on sale.

CTS-V: It's a new iteration of the racetrack-ready CTS based on the lighter and leaner new version of the midsize sports car. It's the most powerful car in Cadillac's 112-year history with a 640-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 mated to an eight-speed automatic tranny. Starts at $83,995 without shipping. On sale now.

CT6: Cadillac goes back to its roots with a new rear-drive luxury land yacht that isn't supposed to behave like one. The CT6 has an aluminum-intensive body with 11 different materials for strength, performance and efficiency. GM says it's lighter than the smaller BMW 5-Series. Buyers can choose from a new 3-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower, plus two less-powerful engines from the previous generation. Night vision that helps identify people and large animals with heat signatures on a dashboard display. Pricing hasn't been announced. On sale early next year.

XT5: The first of the new generation of GM sport utilities is a replacement for the aging SRX midsize SUV. GM will release details later this year.

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CHEVROLET

CAMARO: The classic Chevy muscle car slims down to fit on the frame of a Cadillac ATS small sports sedan. And it gets something that's almost unheard of in a muscle car: a standard four-cylinder engine. The sixth-generation Camaro loses 200 to 300 pounds over the 2015 model, and it's also shorter. And the new turbocharged 2-liter four is nothing to be embarrassed about. It puts out 275 horsepower, more than many V8s from years ago. But buyers also can choose a 335-horsepower V6 or 455-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine. Starts at $26,695, excluding shipping. Due in showrooms in the fall.

CRUZE: Chevy's now 5-year-old pedestrian-looking compact car is replaced with a more stylish, aerodynamic-looking sedan that's longer and 250 pounds lighter. GM engineers say the new Cruze addresses the faults of the old one, which had a noisy underpowered engine, a cramped back seat and bland styling. Gone are two older four-cylinder engines, both with 138 horsepower. They're replaced by an all-new 153-horsepower 1.4-liter turbo four. Six-speed manual is standard and a new six-speed automatic is available. It's due in showrooms in the spring. Price hasn't been announced.

MALIBU: General Motors makes another run at the popular midsize car segment. But if the sleeker and lighter new Malibu runs and handles as well as it looks, Chevy might make a dent in the market now controlled mainly by Honda and Toyota. The new sedan has a wide stance and a coupe-like look that's lower than the old version for better aerodynamics. A longer wheelbase creates more room inside the redesigned model, including 1.3 inches of additional rear-seat legroom. Comes standard with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 160 horsepower. It's smaller and lighter than the previous four-cylinder, helping to cut 300 pounds of weight. GM says highway mileage will rise 1 mpg to 37. There's also a turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A gas-electric hybrid version gets an estimated 48 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Gasoline versions available in December and hybrid in the spring. Pricing not announced.

SPARK: The Korean-made inexpensive Chevy mini-car gets revamped with a more powerful 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 98 horsepower, 14 more than the current model. It also looks less bug-eyed and more modern, with a lower roof line, jeweled headlamps and a rounded front end. Choice of a continuously variable transmission or five-speed manual. Has 10 air bags for safety. Price hasn't been announced. Due in showrooms in the fall.

VOLT: Chevy's gas-electric hybrid gets sleeker looks and increased battery range in a redesign for 2016. The new Volt can go 53 miles on battery power before a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine kicks in to generate electricity and keep the car going. The current version goes only 38 miles on electricity. The new gas-powered generator also is more efficient than the current model. When it's on, the Volt gets 42 miles per gallon in combined city-highway driving, 5 mpg better than the current car. The more aerodynamic look of the new Volt comes with a price, though. Rear-seat headroom is shallow, as is legroom. The new Volt is due out in the fall, priced at $33,170 excluding shipping and a $7,500 federal tax credit for electric cars.

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DODGE

VIPER ACR: It stands for American Club Racer, and it's the fastest street-legal Viper ever, according to the company. The ACR is designed to squeeze faster track lap times out of the venerable Dodge super car with a race-tuned suspension. It has high-performance Kumho racing tires and is powered by the Viper's hand-built 8.4-liter V-10 with 645 horsepower. Already on sale. Starts at $117,895, excluding shipping and a gas-guzzler tax.

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FERRARI

488 GTB, 488 SPIDER: New V8-powered sports cars that replace the 458 Italia and Spider. Each are powered by a 3.9-liter turbocharged motor that puts out 641 horsepower and takes the cars from zero to 62 miles per hour in a screaming 3 seconds. GTB is more aerodynamic than their predecessors with a double front spoiler and a new rear spoiler. The Spider has a retractable hard top. GTB available later this fall for about $245,000. Spider hits showrooms next year at about $275,000.

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FIAT

500X: Fiat gets a much-needed small crossover SUV to take advantage of the worldwide SUV craze. The bulked-up 500 keeps the brand's cute European styling but can seat five comfortably. Choice of two engines, a 1.4-liter, 160-horsepower turbo four mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a 2.4-liter, 180 horsepower four with a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive version has a rear axle that disconnects when it's not needed, for better fuel economy. Already on sale. Starts at $20,000 excluding shipping.

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FORD

GT: After a decade's absence, Ford's GT returns at the end of 2016. The chiseled supercar looks more like a Ferrari than a Ford. It will get more than 600 horsepower with its mid-mounted, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6, which is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. It's Ford's most expensive vehicle ever, with a price tag around $400,000. The company plans to make just 250 GTs per year for the next several years.

SHELBY GT350/GT350R: The GT350 is a performance version of the new Mustang, which went on sale last fall. It boasts a howling, 5.2-liter V8 engine with 526 horsepower. The aluminum hood is lower and more sloped than on the regular Mustang, for better aerodynamics. The inside is spare; chrome and bright finishes were removed to prevent sun glare from distracting the driver. If the GT350 isn't enough, enthusiasts can check out the GT350R, a pure racing car that's 130 pounds lighter than the GT350 thanks to the removal of anything extra, including air conditioning, rear seats and even carpet. There are carbon fiber wheels and a big rear spoiler for even faster cornering. Production will be limited. The GT350 starts at $49,995, which includes $1,300 for a gas-guzzler tax, which applies to cars with combined fuel economy under 22.5 mpg. The GT350R starts at $63,495.

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HONDA

CIVIC: The current Civic compact car strayed from its roots with bland styling, a cheap interior and lackluster performance. An emergency refresh after a year on the market improved it, but still didn't offer much excitement. That should change with the 2016, or 10th generation, model. Honda claims it will be the sportiest Civic ever, and judging from the fastback look of the coupe, the company may be right. The new Civic gets two new engines: a normally aspirated direct-injected four-cylinder with an undisclosed size, and a 1.5-liter, direct-injection turbo four-cylinder. Specifications haven't been released. They're mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic. Sedan debuts later this fall, while the coupe comes in the winter. Prices haven't been released yet.

PILOT: Honda's biggest SUV gets re-engineered for 2016, shedding its worn-out boxy look for a more sculpted body that mimics its smaller cousin, the CR-V. It comes with an all-new 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 with 280 horsepower, 30 more than the old version. It also gets two new automatic transmissions, either a six-speed or an optional nine-speed. The new power plant and transmission help the Pilot get up to 27 miles per gallon on the highway, two more than the 2015 model. For those who want luxury, the Pilot also gets a new Elite grade with a panoramic roof and second-row captain's chairs. Went on sale in June. Starts at $29,995 without shipping.

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HYUNDAI

SONATA HYBRID: The gas-electric version of the Korean automaker's midsize car is new this year. The latest version gets a more powerful electric motor, a bigger battery pack and a revised transmission to boost fuel economy by about 10 percent. Car is powered mainly by a 2-liter direct-injected four-cylinder gas engine, with a more powerful 38-kilowatt electric motor. Combined they put out 193 horsepower. Hybrid is expected to get 39 miles per gallon in the city and 44 mpg on the highway. Front and rear fascias and new wheels help it look different than standard Sonatas. Already on sale. Starts at $26,000 excluding shipping.

TUCSON: Hyundai's entry in the fast-growing small SUV market gets longer, wider, sleeker and more efficient. The automaker added 3 inches to the Tucson's length and made the SUV just over an inch wider. That increased passenger room and added more than 5 cubic feet to the cargo area. Suspension was bolstered to improve handling without hurting ride quality, Hyundai says. The old version's 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is gone. Base model has a 2-liter, 164 horsepower four, while upper-level models get a 1.6-liter turbocharged four with 175 horsepower. The turbo engine gets a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. An Eco version is expected to get 33 mpg on the highway, while Sport and Limited front-wheel-drive versions get an estimated 30 mpg highway. That's 3 mpg better than the outgoing model. Already on sale. Starts at $22,700 excluding shipping.

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JAGUAR

XF: All-new big luxury sedan goes on sale in October with a lightweight aluminum-intensive frame, a coupe-like look and more space inside. The second-generation car comes with a 3-liter supercharged V6, and buyers can chose between 340 and 380 horsepower versions in either rear or all-wheel-drive. The all-wheel-drive model is 265 pounds lighter than the previous version. All engines are mated to eight-speed automatic transmissions. Price hasn't been announced.

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KIA

OPTIMA: Kia's best-seller in the U.S., the Optima midsize car, gets its first full redesign since 2011. It's longer, wider and stiffer, and has a bigger interior. There are three engine choices, including a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 178 horsepower. Two other engines — a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 185 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 247 horsepower — are carried over from the previous Optima. Inside, Kia will soon offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allow drivers to access certain apps from their smartphones on the car's 8-inch touchscreen. The 2016 Optima goes on sale at the end of this year. Pricing and fuel economy haven't been announced, but the 2015 Optima started at $21,690 and got up to 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

SORENTO: The Sorento crossover, last redesigned in 2010, gets a thicker, brawnier look for 2016. It's longer and slightly wider and has a more aggressive grille with narrowed headlights. The Sorento comes in five- or seven-passenger configurations; the five-passenger gets either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 185 horsepower or a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 240 horsepower, while the seven-passenger gets a 290-horsepower V6. Inside, there's more headroom, legroom and cargo room than before. Kia is offering new safety technology, including a forward collision warnings system and blind-spot detection. The Sorento gets up to 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving with the base engine, and up to 21 mpg with the V6. The Sorento, which went on sale in January, starts at $24,900.

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LAMBORGHINI

AVENTADOR 750-4 SUPERVELOCE: If you have a spare $500,000, the new performance version of the Aventador — dubbed the Superveloce — might be for you. The track-ready race car has a 740-horsepower V12 engine — up from 700 in the Aventador — and is 110 pounds lighter thanks to more use of carbon fiber. It's the fastest series-production Lamborghini ever, with a blisteringly fast 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. It gets 14.7 mpg in combined city/highway driving if anyone cares. The Superveloce went on sale this summer, starting at $492,595. That includes a $3,700 gas-guzzler tax and a $3,495 shipping charge. A convertible version — the SV Roadster — goes on sale next spring for $530,075.

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LEXUS

RX: Lexus' best-selling RX SUV gets its first major redesign since 2010. It has a polarizing design with a lot of sharp angles, including L-shaped LED front lights and a big spindle grille. The roof appears to float above the windows thanks to blacked-out pillars. Inside, there's more rear leg room and an available 12.3-inch dashboard monitor with a full-screen map. The RX is powered by an upgraded 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower and a new eight-speed transmission. A hybrid version of the RX will also be available. Fuel economy and pricing will be released when the RX goes on sale later this year.

GS 200t, GS F: The Lexus GS family of midsize cars gets two new members: the 200t and the GS F. The 200t is a rear-wheel-drive sedan with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 241 horsepower; for comparison, the GS 350 gets 311 horsepower with its 3.5-liter V6, and the hybrid GS 450h gets 338 horsepower with its V6 and electric motor combination. Lexus says the 200t will get up to 33 mpg in highway driving, nearly beating the hybrid. The high-performance GS F has a 5.0-liter v8 with 467 horsepower. It also sits lower and wider than the other GS models, with big air vents and carbon fiber accents. All four versions of the GS get Lexus' signature spindle grille for 2016, along with new, standard LED headlights. New safety features include pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection. The new GS lineup goes on sale later this year. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the outgoing GS 350 started at $48,600.

LX 570: Lexus says it changed everything but the door panels on the eight-passenger LX 570 SUV. The front gets Lexus' signature spindle grille and new LED headlights. The 383-horsepower, 5.7-liter V8 engine is paired with a new eight-speed transmission to improve performance and efficiency. There's also a new driving mode selection system, which adjusts the powertrain and suspension depending on the driver's choice of eco, comfort or sport modes. New safety features include dynamic radar cruise control, which works at high and low speeds. Fuel economy and pricing haven't yet been released.

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LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER: A new, 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 engine is being offered for the first time in North America on the 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. It has 254 horsepower, which is less than the 340-horsepower supercharged V6 on the gasoline model, but it gets 25 mpg in city/highway driving, which is 32 percent better than the gas option. Other new options include a hands-free tailgate, which opens when the driver swipes a foot underneath. A diesel-powered Range Rover Sport starts at $66,450; a diesel Range Rover starts at $86,450.

RANGE ROVER SVAutobiography: The SVAutobiography replaces the Autobiography Black at the top of the Range Rover lineup. It's the most powerful production Range Rover in the model's 45-year history, with a 550-horsepower, 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine. The engine is shared with the Range Rover Sport SVR, but specially tuned for the SVAutobiography. New options include two-tone paint, with black on top and a choice of nine colors for the bottom, and a unique front grille. The SVAutobiography gets 15 mpg in city/highway driving. It goes on sale this fall starting at $199,495.

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LINCOLN

MKX: Lincoln's mid-size crossover has a sleeker, less bulbous design and an updated grille to match other new Lincolns. Under the hood, there's a base 3.7-liter V6 engine with 303 horsepower or a new 335-horsepower, 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. Both are mated to a six-speed, push-button transmission. The base engine gets up to 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving, while the EcoBoost gets 21. The MKX is the first Ford or Lincoln to offer pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection, which warns the driver of an impending collision and applies the brakes automatically. Other new features include auto hold, which holds the brake automatically in traffic and releases it when the accelerator is pressed, and a hands-free lift gate that opens when the driver kicks a foot beneath it. The new MKX went on sale this summer starting at $38,100.

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MAZDA

CX-3: Mazda is entering the fast-growing subcompact SUV segment with the CX-3, joining competitors like the Honda HR-V. At 168.3 inches long, it's a little more than 10 inches shorter than the CX-5 SUV, but it shares the same swooping, "soul of motion" design Mazda has adopted throughout its lineup. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower, paired to a six-speed transmission. It gets an estimated 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Buyers can opt for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Standard features include push-button start and a system that reads your incoming text messages aloud. High-end options include a lane-departure warning system and rain-sensing wipers. The CX-3, on sale this fall, starts at $19,960.

MX-5 MIATA: Twenty-six years after the debut of the first Miata, Mazda is introducing the fourth generation of the popular soft-top convertible. The new MX-5 hints at Mazda's "soul of motion" design language, with its long hood, flowing sides and large wheels pushed out to the edges, even as it keeps the playful, classic look of the original. Thanks to more extensive use of high-strength steel, the new Miata weighs 150 pounds less than the previous model, improving fuel economy and driving dynamics. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 155 horsepower. Paired with either the standard six-speed manual transmission or the optional six-speed automatic, it gets an estimated 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving, a 25 percent improvement over the most efficient previous model. The MX-5 starts at $24,915.

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MERCEDES-BENZ

C350 Plug-In Hybrid: The midsize C-Class family gets a plug-in electric hybrid, one of 10 hybrids the brand plans to launch by 2017. It will be sold only in zero-emission states, including California, New York and Oregon. The C350 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an 80-horsepower motor powered by a lithium-ion battery; combined, the engine and motor are capable of 275 horsepower. It can travel around 20 miles on electric power alone. Fuel economy and pricing will be released closer to the car's launch next spring.

C450 AMG: Mercedes hopes to broaden the customer base for its exclusive AMG performance brand with the C450 AMG, a $50,800 midsize sedan. The C450 has an upgraded, 3.0-liter V6 with 362 horsepower as well as AMG's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. Other AMG-specific touches include a specially tuned suspension adapted from the C63 AMG (which costs $13,000 more), bigger brakes, a spoiler on the rear and red-stitched sport seats. Fuel economy hasn't been released. The C450 goes on sale this fall.

GLC300: The second generation of Mercedes' midsize SUV gets a new name — GLC, to tie it more closely to Mercedes' C-class family — and an elegant new look. The GLC replaces the boxy GLK; it has the same elongated hood but a much more aerodynamic roofline. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 241 horsepower and a new nine-speed transmission. Fuel economy hasn't been announced, but the GLC is 176 pounds lighter than the outgoing model thanks to more extensive use of aluminum and high-strength steel. There is a full suite of safety features, including a system that detects an impending rear-end collision and alerts the traffic behind it by operating the hazard warning lights. The GLC goes on sale in November, starting at $38,950.

GLE COUPE: The GLE Coupe is the newest member of the GLE-class (formerly M-Class) of midsize SUVs. It's a four-door, five-seater; it gets the "coupe" name for its sloped roof and sporty driving. There are two variants. The GLE450, designed to bring more buyers into Mercedes's AMG performance brand, has a 3.0-liter V6 producing 362 horsepower. It has a new, nine-speed transmission. Standard features include a system that lets drivers choose between five driving feels, including one for comfort, one for slippery conditions and two sport modes. The more exclusive GLE63 S has a hand-built, 5.5-liter V8 with 577 horsepower that accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. It's mated to AMG's seven-speed automatic transmission. The GLE63 S gets some sporty touches, including diffuser fins in the rear, red brake calipers and chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims. The GLE Coupe goes on sale in late summer; fuel economy for both models hasn't been announced. The GLE450 starts at $65,100, while the GLE63 S starts at $109,300.

MERCEDES-AMG G65: Mercedes dials up the power in the third variant of its boxy G-Class SUV. It has a 621-horsepower, 6.0-liter V12 engine and a seven-speed transmission. Fuel economy hasn't been released, but it won't be good. The G65 goes on sale this fall, starting at $217,900. That makes it the fourth member of Mercedes' exclusive AMG performance family to be priced above $200,000.

MERCEDES-MAYBACH S600: This is a stretched, hyper-luxury version of Mercedes' full-size S-Class sedan. It has a 523-horsepower, V12 engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission; it gets 20 mpg on the highway. There's an advanced suspension control system that scans the road ahead with a camera and prepares to absorb any bumps. Standard perks include heated arm rests and door panels, a fragrance system on the glove box that diffuses one of five aromas and a power footrest on the right rear seat. A heated and cooled rear cup-holder is $1,950 extra. The Mercedes-Maybach S600 went on sale in the spring; it starts at $189,350.

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MINI

CLUBMAN: A complete redesign makes the Clubman longer and wider than any other car in the BMW mini-car brand's lineup. It also gets more leg, shoulder and elbow room and bigger cargo space. The Clubman is powered by a 1-5-liter, 134 horsepower, three-cylinder engine, while the Cooper S Clubman gets a 2-liter, 189 horsepower engine. Manual transmissions and an eight-speed automatic are available. Goes on sale in January. Prices not announced yet.

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MITSUBISHI

OUTLANDER: Mitsubishi's seven-passenger SUV gets refreshed with more than 100 engineering and design improvements and a price cut of $200. The company says it looks, drives and feels like an all-new vehicle because of the improvements. It gets a rounder, less boxy outside look, a reconfigured interior to improve second-row seating comfort, and new seating surfaces. The engine and suspension get refinements to make the vehicle ride and handle better. Priced at $22,995 excluding shipping. On sale now.

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NISSAN

MAXIMA: Nissan brings some life to the flagging full-size sedan segment with the new Maxima. It has a bold, chiseled surface, the "V''-shaped grille found on other new Nissans like the Rogue SUV, and a roof that looks like it's floating above the car thanks to blacked-out pillars. Under the hood is an updated version of the 300-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 engine from the outgoing Maxima. It's mated to a new continuously variable transmission. Those revisions helped increase the Maxima's highway fuel economy to 30 mpg; city fuel economy is 22 mpg. New safety options include a driver attention alert system, which warns drivers if changes in steering indicate they might not be paying attention. The Maxima went on sale in early June at a starting price of $32,410.

TITAN: Nissan, a bit player in the full-size truck market dominated by Ford, Chevrolet and Ram, hopes to shake things up with the new Titan. Among its engine offerings will be a Cummins 5.0-liter V8 turbo diesel, the kind of engine normally found on more expensive heavy-duty trucks. The engine gives the truck maximum towing capacity of more than 12,000 pounds and maximum payload of 2,000 pounds — near the top of the segment — but with what Nissan says will be 20 percent better fuel economy than a gas-powered V8. Gas-powered V6 and V8 engines will also be available. Nissan will release pricing and other details closer to the launch of the new Titan later this year.

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PORSCHE

911 GT3 RS/Targa 4 GTS: Porsche has reworked 90 percent of the components on the seventh-generation 911 sports car. It has a new rear axle for improved precision and stability and a new power steering system, and it's longer, lower and wider than its predecessor. In 2016 comes the new racing version, the GT3 RS, with a rear-mounted 4.0-liter flat six engine with 500 horsepower paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The GT3 RS accelerates from 0 to 60 in 3.1 seconds and has a top track speed of 193 mph. Fuel economy has improved to 16 mpg in city/highway driving. The Targa 4 is the updated convertible version of the 911, with a 430-horsepower, 3.8-liter flat six engine and a choice of seven-speed manual or automatic transmission. The Targa went on sale in the spring, starting at $132,800. The GT3RS starts at $175,900.

CAYENNE Turbo S/GTS: Two new sport versions sit atop the Cayenne SUV lineup. The GTS has a newly designed 3.6-liter V6 with 440 horsepower, an improvement of 20 horsepower over the previous V8. Fuel economy also improves 2 mpg over the previous model, to up to 23 mpg on the highway. The Turbo S has a 4.8-liter V8 with 570 horsepower, also 20 horsepower more than the previous model. Both models are all-wheel-drive with an eight-speed transmission, and both have sporty features like large front air intakes and specially amplified engine sound. The GTS starts at $95,500; the Turbo S starts at $157,300.

CAYMAN GT4: The new top-of-the-line Cayman sports car borrows the 911's 3.8-liter flat 6 engine for 385 horsepower. It's paired with a six-speed manual transmission for up to 23 mpg on the highway. Top track speed is 183 miles per hour, and it accelerates from 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds. The Cayman GT4 starts at $84,600, a $32,000 premium over a base model Cayman.

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SCION

iM/iA: The Scion brand has a new entry point with the iA small car and its hatchback sibling, the iM. Scion hopes to draw value-oriented buyers with its new no-haggle pricing promise and an impressive list of standard features like keyless entry and a 7-inch touchscreen dashboard with voice recognition. The iA has a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 106 horsepower and a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; the automatic gets 37 mpg in city/highway driving, while the manual gets 35 mpg. The iM has a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 137 horsepower; it gets 32 mpg in city/highway driving with an automatic transmission and 31 mpg with a manual. Both cars went on sale Sept. 1. The iA starts at $15,700, while the iM starts at $18,460.

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SMART

FORTWO: Smart's all-new Fortwo — a tiny subcompact with a total length of 8.8 feet — has numerous improvements, including a more powerful, turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 89 horsepower and a tighter turning radius thanks to the redesigned front axle. The car is 3.9 inches wider than the outgoing model, for more stable driving and interior room. Customers can choose a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. LED daytime running lights, cruise control, power steering and Bluetooth are now standard. The ForTwo goes on sale this fall; pricing and fuel economy haven't been released, but the previous model started at $13,270.

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TESLA

Model X: Tesla's third vehicle, the Model X, is scheduled to go on sale this fall. The seven-seat SUV will turn heads with its "falcon-wing" rear doors, which open out and upward. The Model X is powered by two electric motors. Like the Model S sedan, buyers will likely have a choice of batteries that determine the vehicle's electric range; a top-of-the-line Model S can go up to 300 miles per charge. More details, including the price, will be released when the Model X goes on sale.

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TOYOTA

LAND CRUISER: Toyota's eight-passenger SUV gets a significant refresh. There's a new hexagonal grille, narrower LED headlights and a bulging hood atop the 381-horsepower V8 engine. There's also a new eight-speed transmission to enhance fuel efficiency; the Land Cruiser gets 15 mpg in city/highway driving. New safety features include blind-spot detection and a front collision warning system. Everything is standard; the only thing buyers choose is the color. Pricing will be released this fall, but the previous model started at $80,155.

MIRAI: In Japanese, "mirai" means future, a fitting name for one of the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The Mirai has an electric battery powered by hydrogen, and it emits nothing but water vapor from its tailpipe. It can go 312 miles between fill-ups and gets the equivalent of 67 miles per gallon. Like the gas-electric hybrid Prius, which it resembles, the Mirai is meant to be instantly recognizable as something different. Its pointy hood sits above huge, triangular air intakes, and the sides are swept back and deeply grooved. It could be tough to get your hands on one, since only a few hundred will be made in the first year. Only California buyers are eligible, and they must take delivery from one of eight authorized dealers in the Los Angeles or San Francisco areas. They must also live close to a hydrogen refueling station. The Mirai starts at $57,500 plus an $835 destination fee; that price includes free fuel and maintenance for three years.

PRIUS: Toyota is launching the fourth generation of the hybrid Prius early next year, 15 years after it first went on sale here. The new Prius has sportier, more emotional styling, with a lower hood and a sharp side crease that morphs into the rear spoiler. LED headlights are now standard. A new suspension and a more rigid body will improve the Prius' ho-hum driving dynamics. Toyota says it expects fuel economy to be 10 percent better thanks to a smaller, lighter hybrid motor, an improved gas engine and batteries with higher energy density. The Prius currently gets 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The Prius will also be among the first to offer Toyota's new Safety Sense package, which includes lane departure warning and pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection. Pricing hasn't been released.

RAV4 Hybrid: A hybrid version of Toyota's RAV4 SUV goes on sale this fall. No details have been released.

TACOMA: With fresh competition from the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota aims to hold on to its spot at the top of the midsize pickup market with the new Tacoma. It's the first full redesign for the Tacoma in 12 years. The frame and body have more high-strength steel, to make them lighter but more rigid and better for off-road driving. Toyota also gave the Tacoma a new chiseled face and hexagonal grille, to better match its bigger sibling, the Tundra. The Tacoma has a 159-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and an optional 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower. Both are paired with a new six-speed transmission; six-speed and five-speed manuals are also available. The front-wheel-drive version gets up to 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving; the four-wheel drive gets 21 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Five versions will be offered, including a top-of-the-line Limited and an off-road TRD with multi-terrain select and a built-in mount for a GoPro camera near the rear-view mirror. The Tacoma, which will be built in Texas and Mexico, goes on sale this fall starting at $23,300.

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VOLKSWAGEN

JETTA GLI: The sporty version of the compact Jetta gets a new engine: the 210-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that's also in the smaller Golf GTI. It gets 27 mpg in combined city/highway driving with either the manual or automatic transmissions. It also has a more aggressive grille and a new rear bumper with a diffuser to improve the aerodynamics. There's a new touchscreen entertainment system and safety features, including bind-spot detection and a post-collision braking system that can mitigate damage after a crash. The GLI goes on sale next month, starting at $26,920.

PASSAT: The midsize sedan will get its first major refresh since it debuted in 2011. Details haven't been released.

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VOLVO

S60: Volvo adds 3 inches to its smallish sedan to come up with the Inscription version. The extra length adds a like amount to the rear-seat legroom to make passengers more comfortable. Volvo says it has the most rear-seat legroom when compared with the Audi A4, BMW 328 or Mercedes-Benz C300. Inscription gets walnut wood on the armrests with new silk metal buttons. Volvo also introducing a Cross Country version of the S60 with a higher ride height and standard all-wheel-drive. Inscription goes on sale in September and starts at $38,700 excluding shipping.


XC90: Volvo's big seven-seat SUV is all new for 2016, and it's loaded with luxury and safety features. Even the base model gets leather seats, and the XC90 comes with a 9-inch touch screen that Volvo said behaves like a consumer tablet. It has 32 different seating combinations and up to 85 cubic feet of cargo space. Safety features include automatic braking that comes on if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car, plus rear collision warning. Volvo says the safety cage around the passenger compartment is 200 pounds lighter than the old model, yet stronger because it uses boron steel. Powered by a 316-horsepower, 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. On sale now. Starts at $48,900 without shipping.

A preview of the hot new cars for 2016

Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze: This is a crucial year for Chevrolet’s car business. The new Malibu must reignite interest in Chevy’s midsize sedan while the compact Cruze needs to build on its predecessor’s success.
“These are hugely competitive market segments,” IHS Automotive senior analyst Stephanie Brinley said. “The current Malibu didn’t deliver, but this one looks much more elegant and premium.”
The compact Cruze “is potentially a really strong competitor,” said Sam Abuelsamid, Navigant Research senior analyst.
“It looks like a big step forward. The dynamic design and roomier backseat should address the few complaints people had about the current model. There’s also been a significant reduction in weight. Combined with new gasoline and diesel engines, that should lead to strong fuel economy.”


Alfa Romeo Giulia: FCA’s entire strategy hinges on massive sales growth from Alfa. CEO Sergio Marchionne essentially bet the company’s future on the attractive Giulia sport sedan, which is the first vehicle from a multibillion-dollar program. It must establish Alfa as an alternative to brands like BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar and Lexus.
“There’s a lot riding on the Giulia,” Brinley said. “It must convince people who don’t think about Alfa to consider the brand.”

Chrysler Town & Country: Minivans have been vital to Chrysler since the automaker invented the perfect family vehicle in the 1980s. The new T&C faces a stiff challenge. Dodge will drop its minivan in favor of a new crossover SUV, so the Chrysler brand must win lots of new buyers.
“The question and how big is the minivan market, and can Chrysler dominate as it once did?” said Autotrader senior analyst Michelle Krebs.

Jeep Compass replacement: The outgoing Compass and Patriot compact SUVs are the only weak links in Jeep’s product line. Sized between the Cherokee and Renegade, the new vehicle – maybe called Compass, maybe something else – could make a big impact if it gives the brand a leading competitor for vehicles like the Ford Escape.   “Jeep can certainly sell more vehicles in this segment if it gets the new one right,” Brinley said.

BMW 7-series: BMW’s big sedan has been one of the global auto industry’s style and technology leaders for decades. The new model has plenty of advanced new features, including fully autonomous parking, but its evolutionary styling could suffer in comparison to the dramatic Cadillac CT6 and Mercedes S-class.
“BMW is pushing the edge with new autonomous technologies, but I wonder if the design will generate the excitement they want?” Brinley asked.

Cadillac CT6 and XT5: The advanced CT6 luxury sedan gets all the hoopla, but the XT5 SUV, which replaces the SRX, means more to Cadillac’s immediate future.
“The CT6 is important because it’s the first Cadillac under the new naming system and under new leadership, but in terms of sales and profits, the Cadillac SRX is far more important,” Krebs said.
Midsize SUVs are one of the hottest segments in the luxury market and the SRX is just about the oldest on the road. Cadillac has missed out on the boom in luxury SUV sales. The XT5, which will feature a powerful and fuel-efficient new 3.6-L V-6, could cure the sales slump that’s ailed GM’s luxury brand.
Don’t ignore the CT6, though. Its styling and technology,including the ability to follow other vehicles autonomously, set the tone for Cadillac’s future.

Ford GT: Ford’s super-car will be “a rolling laboratory and billboard for Ford performance and technology,” Abuelsamid said. Its stunning design could also establish Ford as a leader in automotive styling.
Unlike most exotic sports cars, the GT’s engine technology and lightweight materials are directly connected to mainstream models like the Ford Focus and F-150.
“The GT is a smart marketing investment,” Abuelsamid said.

Honda Civic: “The Civic is incredibly important to Honda,” Krebs said. “It, the Accord and CR-V make up about two-thirds of Honda’s U.S. sales.”
After the disappointment of the outgoing Civic, Honda needs to demonstrate it still knows what Americans want.
“The new Civic represents an opportunity for Honda to prove it truly has its engineering and technological mojo back and with some styling flair thrown in,” Krebs said.

Jaguar XE and F-Pace: Two hugely important vehicles for the resurgent British luxury brand, the XE sport sedan and F-Pace SUV move Jag into two of the biggest and most important parts of the luxury market.
The XE will compete with sport sedans like the BMW 3-series, Cadillac ATS and Mercedes C-class. The F-Pace will compete with crossovers like the BMW X5 and Lexus RX.
“This is a good way for Jaguar to increase its sales and profitability,” Abuelsamid said. “The F-Pace’s design is in keeping with the brand’s contemporary sedans. It doesn’t look like (Jag’s corporate sibling) Land Rover.”

Lincoln Continental: The Continental luxury sedan could be the start of a resurgence by Ford’s luxury brand. It aims to compete with cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5-series and Cadillac CTS. The Continental could also signal the end of Lincoln’s confusing naming system and a welcome return to the use of actual words.
The Continental introduces a new exterior design theme for Lincoln. Its interior materials and features should be a match for other top luxury brands. It handling is unlikely to challenge top sport sedans because its front-wheel-drive-based platform won’t match their weight distribution.

Mercedes-Benz E-class: The E-class luxury sedan will showcase Mercedes’ latest safety and driver-assistance systems. It may be the closest thing to a fully autonomous vehicle any automaker has made.
“It’ll be interesting to see how Mercedes makes the car special when the experience of driving it is secondary,” Brinley said. The systems will also have to demonstrate ironclad reliability and cybersecurity.

Nissan Altima and Titan XD: The Altima midsize sedan is a quiet superstar. Perennially one of the best-selling cars in the U.S., it’s a mainstay of Nissan’s business.
The Titan XD is not the overdue replacement for the current Nissan Titan full-size pickup, but it’s still a landmark for Japanese automakers: the first medium-duty pickup to compete with cash cows like the F-250 and Silverado 2500.
Nissan won’t match the breadth of domestic brands’ medium-duty lineup, but the XD’s capability and Cummins diesel prove Nissan is serious about challenging them.

Toyota Prius: The Prius is the best-selling hybrid in the world, and a key to Toyota’s corporate identity. The new model must retain that aura despite more mainstream styling and the advent of competitors like the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt and all-electric Nissan Leaf.

“The Prius is pretty much a brand within the Toyota brand,” Krebs said. “It has dominated the hybrid market and Toyota must take it to the next level to stay ahead.”

The 20 Best Cars That Still Offer a Manual Transmission

By Ben Stewart

Sep 9, 2015

1.6k

The manual transmission is on the endangered species list. Every year fewer and fewer cars are offered with a clutch and a shifter. Why? Americans just don't want to be bothered with the chore of working a clutch with their left foot and shifting with their right. And sports car manufacturers are the worst offenders when it comes to quitting on the stick shift. Because the newest computer-controlled automatics can shift more quickly than any human can, engineers see the manual transmission as outdated.

We disagree. Shifting a manual transmission is not only more engaging and fun than flicking some dainty little paddles, it also requires more skill and makes the driver a better one. Some carmakers still see the beauty of the manual transmission. Here are 20 of the greatest driver's machines that still do.

2016 Mazda Miata

Since the summer of 1989, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has been thrilling sports car fans with its featherweight rear-drive chassis and drop-top fun-in-the-sun persona. The Miata's responsive handling drew buyers by the tens of thousands to Mazda stores, as did a dollop of 1960s British roadster aesthetic. But it's no stretch to say that Mazda's brilliant five-speed manual transmission was one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. The stubby little shifter was so effortless that it moved with just a modest flick of the wrist. The second-generation Miata of 1999 got one more gear for 10th anniversary models, but the six-speed was optional—five-speed remained standard well into the third generation.
The Miata's sports car formula has lasted for more than a quarter century. The all-new 2016 model (read our test drive here) not only retains the easy-shifting and precise 6-speed manual transmission, but also elevates the entire Miata experience. It's still one of the best manual transmissions available on any car at any price.
Base Price: $24,915

2016 Subaru BRZ (and Scion FR-S)

Reasonably priced sports cars are rare these days. The Subaru BRZ and its twin, the Scion FR-S, both start at just over $25,000 and offer an engaging drive. Like the Miata, they are lightweight (around 2800 pounds) and rear-wheel drive. These twins pack 200-hp four-cylinder engines and come standard with a six-speed manual (automatic is optional).
Of course, the engineers were tempted to design a heavier and more expensive twin-clutch, paddle-shift transmission instead of a manual. But we're sure glad they didn't. Subaru wanted to provide the same level of driving involvement as a Porsche Cayman, and after logging hours on canyon roads in a BRZ, we can confidently say this is one enjoyable ride.
Base Price: $25,395

2016 Dodge Viper

The Dodge Viper is a throwback to when the original muscle cars roamed wild and free in the 1960s and early 1970s. It lacks the finesse of modern sports cars; instead the Viper is a brutally quick beast that's a little bit frightening. The 8.4-liter, 645-hp V10 is a beast comes mated to only one transmission—a six-speed manual.
This isn't a delicate instrument. Drop the hammer with the traction control system turned off and the car will be quickly engulfed in plumes of tire smoke. The six-speed doesn't offer the delicate throws of some sports cars. Instead, shifting requires commitment and some muscle to get the Viper in the right gear. But that totally fits this car's personality. And it's incredibly satisfying to have full manual control over such a powerful and torque-rich engine.
The price of admission isn't cheap. The Viper starts at $84,995 and climbs to nearly $120,000 for the even more visceral ACR racetrack special edition (seen here). Expensive? Sure. But we're talking about a Viper here.