Car of the Year: Extreme Tech’s Best Cars for 2020

 

For starters, the following Hyundai SmartSense driver-assist features below are standard on all four trim lines of every 2020 Sonata (and the last is standard on the trims above SE that account for 85-90 percent of Sonata sales):

• Stop and go adaptive cruise control (Hyundai’s term: “advanced smart cruise control”)
• Forward collision warning, auto emergency braking, pedestrian detection (“forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection”)
• Auto high beams (“automatic high beam assist”)
• Lane keep assist (steers the car back from the lane edges)
• Lane centering assist (“lane follow assist”)
• Driver drowsiness detection (“driver attention warning”)
• Dynamic backing guidelines for the (federally mandated) rearview camera
• (SEL, SEL Plus, Limited:) Blind-spot detection (“blind-spot collision avoidance assist”) / rear cross-traffic alert (“rear cross-traffic avoidance assist”)
  
  
  

2019 Subaru WRX STI S209 Makes America Great Again

No, this isn't the all-new STI whose arrival we have been awaiting so anxiously, being instead yet another upgrade to the current model. But we will say it's an interesting one, a limited edition with more power, a wider track, and upgraded suspension elements. Finally, in a somewhat ironic touch considering how long the STI was denied to the U.S. market, it'll be sold exclusively in America.
Subaru is touting the 2019 STI S209—it follows S201 through S208 versions sold only in Japan—as "the first STI-crafted S-line performance vehicle sold in the United States." The car's improvements start with the 2.5-liter boxer four, which gets a bigger, boostier turbo; forged pistons and con rods (which are lighter and stronger); a high-flow intake; bigger injectors; a burlier fuel pump; and freer-flowing mufflers. 

Coolest of all is the intercooler's external water-spray system, operated by a button on the steering wheel. Horsepower is estimated at 341, 31 more than the standard 2019 STI and 36 more than the non-RA 2018 cars. Subaru didn't specify a torque figure, but it did promise a 10 percent bump at 3,600 rpm. (Regular STIs peak at 290 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm.)

The chassis gets updates as well, starting with a 0.6-inch wider track and widebody sheetmetal that makes the S209 1.7 inches broader of beam than a standard STI. Also of note are stiffer springs, upgraded Bilstein dampers, a 0.8-inch rear anti-roll bar, upgraded bushings, and a handful of stiffening braces and bars, plus specially developed 265/35 Dunlop GT600A summer tires wrapping 19-inch BBS wheels. It all adds up, Subaru says, to more than 1.00 g of lateral grip.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus First Drive

Ditching dry alphanumeric names is a crucial move for a brand looking to extend the new Navigator's momentum down to a segment Lexus owns with the RX, but Lincoln will need more than just a new name to elevate the game of a two-row crossover formerly known as the MKX. We drove the new Nautilus to determine where the updated model fits in a very competitive segment.

The Ford Edge based luxury crossover starts with a four-cylinder base engine that wasn't initially part of Lincoln's plans for this 2019-model-year refresh. The 2.0-liter turbo-four replaces the MKX's 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V-6 and is good for 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Don't be dissuaded by the fact that the 2019 Nautilus' base engine has two fewer cylinders than what you're used to—the engine moves the Nautilus with enough authority around town that it doesn't feel like a slug. And thanks to the new engine, fuel economy and driving range see meaningful improvements compared to that old 3.7-liter V-6. It's just a shame that sticking with the Nautilus' 2.0-liter base engine doesn't translate to a jump in fuel economy compared to the V-6 option; EPA-anticipated fuel economy for the Lincoln's base engine is 20-21/25-26 mpg city/highway, compared to the much more powerful V-6's 19-20/26-27 mpg. For comparison, the 295-hp 2019 Lexus RX 350 is EPA-rated at 19-20/26-27 mpg.

Where the 2019 Nautilus earns back some points is with its decently spacious rear seat and rear-seat backrest recline controls conveniently placed at the passenger's thigh—this isn't as universal a feature as you'd think. Neither is the Lincoln's helpful addition of rear-seat headrests that can fold down, increasing rear visibility, or the one-touch buttons in the cargo area that fold down the rear seats.

Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition Gets Suicide Doors

Lincoln is celebrating the Continental's 80th anniversary with a nice dose of nostalgia, adding coach doors—otherwise known as "suicide doors"—to a limited run of 80 examples. The aptly named Lincoln Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition integrates a design cue first introduced on the model in 1961 and pays homage to that vintage classic

When it first arrived in 1939, the Lincoln Continental was a custom-made, handcrafted luxury car commissioned by Edsel Ford and built by Eugene T. Gregorie. But the model's status as an automotive icon arguably wasn't achieved until 1961, when the fourth-generation Continental launched with rear-hinged rear doors and a chrome-accented upper shoulder line that would become a Lincoln trademark. A modified fourth-gen Continental also had the distinct honor of serving as a presidential limousine from the early 1960s until 1977. That vehicle made history for a more sorrowful reason in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in the back seat.

Buyers interested in the Continental 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition will need to order the car via a dealership certified to sell Black Label-grade Lincoln models. Like all Black Label models, the special edition Continental gets you perks like annual vehicle detailing, complimentary car washes, access to exclusive restaurants, and pickup and delivery of the vehicle for maintenance at a designated location throughout the duration of the warranty. Pricing has not yet been announced, but considering the low production run, expect to pay north of the standard Black Label's $71,040 starting price.

2019 Honda Odyssey Now on Sale in the US

Priced from $31,065 including destination, the 2019 Honda Odyssey is mostly a carryover model. The minivan now comes standard with Honda Sensing on EX and above trim levels, a suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, which includes collision mitigation brake system, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control.

All models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, with a nine-speed automatic transmission on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims. The Odyssey Touring and Elite models come with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy however, is rated the same across the entire lineup, returning 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a 22-mpg combined rating.

The Honda Odyssey EX is priced from $35,035, while the EX-L starts at $38,585. The EX-L Navi/RES model has a starting price of $40,585. Stepping up to the Touring model with the 10-speed automatic starts at $45,635 and at the top of the range is the Elite with a price tag of $47,945. For the 2019 model year, Honda has added a second 2.5-amp USB port inside the center console on EX-L and above trims.

First Buick Avenir model is a China-only minivan

Buick’s lineup in China includes a minivan called the GL8, and it’s this model that has become the first recipient of Buick’s Avenir treatment.

Avenir, French for “future,” is the name of a luxurious sedan concept Buick rolled out in 2015. The concept didn’t make it to production but its name and more upmarket treatments feature in a new sub-brand Buick is using to denote extra luxurious versions its existing models, starting with the GL8 Avenir.

For the exterior, the vehicle benefits from an exclusive color called Earl Purple. There’s also the distinct grille with a honeycomb-like pattern and extra chrome. Designers have also added a unique set of 18-inch aluminum wheels.

For the interior, the Avenir treatments include a unique dash lining with a textured surface and an “Avenir” script. This is joined by quilted leather on the seats, plush carpeting, a suede headliner and an ambient lighting package.

Buick says the the GL8 Avenir will go on sale in China in November following a debut at the 2016 Guangzhou auto show. While there are no plans to bring it to the United States, it likely hints at some of the treatments we can expect on Avenir models sold here.

Unfortunately, it isn't clear when Buick will actually launch an Avenir model in the U.S.

Volvo S90 Excellence's Lounge Console

The Lounge Console doubles as a mobile work station and entertainment center with a large touchscreen display built in it. The sumptuous arrangement offers a heated and cooled cup holder, a refrigerator, and Swedish-made Orrefors crystal glasses. The front passenger seat is eliminated to make room for all of this. Overhead, the roof offers a full panoramic view.

The S90 Excellence was shown ahead of the Guangzhou Motor Show, which will be held in late November. It will be built in Daqing near Harbin. The sole engine option will be the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid version. Volvo showed previous Lounge Console concepts at the Beijing and Shanghai motor shows.

Volvo says the Excellence will be exported globally from the Northeastern China factory, following the S60 Inscription model which is also built there and sold in the United States. US implications are unclear for the S90 Excellence. A Volvo spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"China will play an increasingly important part in our global manufacturing ambitions. Our factories here will deliver world-class products for export across the globe in coming years, contributing to our objective of selling up to 800,000 cars a year by 2020," Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said in a statement.

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Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition India launch price INR 1.07 crores

The limited edition luxury SUV offers quite a lot of additional features over the standard model. On the outside, the Cayenne Platinum Edition can be identified by means of the new 20-inch RS Spyder style alloy wheels and wider wheel arches.

Interior gets most of the enhancements. For starters, the limited edition model offers electrically adjustable sports seats at the front which are upholstered in leather and Alcantara with Porsche crest on the head restraints.
The exclusive luxury SUV also offers ‘Platinum Edition’ illuminated sill plates, upgraded Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with 7-inch touchscreen, navigatin, Apple CarPlay, Andriod Auto, Siri Voice and BOSE surround sound system.
The petrol variant is powered by a unit which delivers 300 PS while the litre oil burner develops 245 PS. The Porsche Cayenne Platinum Edition can be ordered now with delveries set to commence in August.

2017 Chevy Impala – redesign of a cult flagship sedan

The redesigned Impala is not all new for 2017, but why would you change something so successful?
The 2017 model will be the tenth generation of this iconic vehicle, and with 169,000 units sold in just one year (2012), this is one of the most popular full-size sedans in the U.S.

Chevrolet is trying to increase the market share for the Impala, it plans to do this by offering a wider variety of engines; two 4-cylinder engines and the flagship (& exclusive) 3.6 liter V6.
The ecotec 2.4 liter 4-cylinder comes with eAssist and Chevrolet say that gas consumption should be around the 35 MPG mark when driving on the highway.
Chevrolet take safety very seriously, for this reason, you’ll find anti-collision systems, rear camera, park-assist, adaptive cruise control, lane guidance and ten airbags all fitted as standard equipment,

Volvo S90 Excellence's Lounge Console

The Lounge Console doubles as a mobile work station and entertainment center with a large touchscreen display built in it. The sumptuous arrangement offers a heated and cooled cup holder, a refrigerator, and Swedish-made Orrefors crystal glasses. The front passenger seat is eliminated to make room for all of this. Overhead, the roof offers a full panoramic view.

The S90 Excellence was shown ahead of the Guangzhou Motor Show, which will be held in late November. It will be built in Daqing near Harbin. The sole engine option will be the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid version. Volvo showed previous Lounge Console concepts at the Beijing and Shanghai motor shows.

Volvo says the Excellence will be exported globally from the Northeastern China factory, following the S60 Inscription model which is also built there and sold in the United States. US implications are unclear for the S90 Excellence. A Volvo spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"China will play an increasingly important part in our global manufacturing ambitions. Our factories here will deliver world-class products for export across the globe in coming years, contributing to our objective of selling up to 800,000 cars a year by 2020," Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said in a statement.

2017 Lincoln Continental pricing undercuts Cadillac CT6

Base model starts at $45,485, 400-hp Black Label priced at $69,105.

At the top of the pile, Lincoln offers its Black Label models, and well, we’ll just let you bask in their words for a moment: “Lincoln Black Label is a curated collection of luxury designer themes combined with a personalized client experience and membership privileges.” It’s as if American Express opened an artisanal airport brewpub! The salient cash-money outlays are as follows: a 2.7 FWD car will run $63,840, adding AWD predictably ticks the clock up to $65,840, while the full-boat 3.0 AWD models start at $69,105. For the $9000 price premium over Reserve models, the wheels gain an inch in diameter, the headlamps go LED, a 19-speaker Revel Ultima sound system is standard, and you get a floormat upgrade involving faux-suede trim and Black Label badging. Opt for the Luxury package on the Reserve models, and you’ll snare the fancy hi-fi and headlights for only a $5000 surcharge. So what else does Black Label give you over Reserve?

Floormats and dubs aside, the Black Label offers “ultra-soft Venetian leathers” as part of three interior treatments. The wintry-mix Chalet interior is supposed to remind one of “the inherent comfort of the après ski lodge,” while Rhapsody hopes to evoke the feeling of music. With its aluminized silver mesh and deep navy materials, we find it more reminiscent of the halcyon days of mid-20th-century air travel. Presumably, the earth-toned Thoroughbred will be stabled at domiciles decorated exclusively with items from the Ralph Lauren Home collection. Beyond the fancy interior treatments, membership in the Black Label society will not garner you a one-on-one audience with guitarist Zakk Wylde, but it will grant you a dinner for two at one of Lincoln’s Culinary Collection restaurants. Ford’s luxury division also will deliver your new ride directly to you, as long as you’re within 30 miles of a Black Label dealership. Shoppers 35 miles away might consider moving for that privilege. They’ll also fix you up with complimentary anytime car washes and a once-a-year detailing. Too busy to visit the Lincoln store? The “Shopping Concierge” will bring a “mobile showroom” to you.

2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Makes U.S. Debut

The era of plugins is upon us. Although customers may not exactly be beating down dealers’ doors for them, looming EPA fuel economy standards are forcing automakers to build them to be nominally compliant with the regulations. For those customers that see the value in the concept and don’t have a lavish budget to spend on something like the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, Mitsubishi will offer its popular Outlander midsize crossover with a plug-in option in the U.S. market for the 2017 model year.
The system consists of a 2.0L I-4 gas engine paired with two electric motors, one at each axle. The system will automatically switch between three drive modes depending on state of charge and driving conditions: full EV, series hybrid, and parallel hybrid. Providing power to the PHEV system is a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. For comparison, a Chevy Volt’s pack is 18.4 kWh. Mitsubishi promises a “high” electric range and an excellent mpg rating. Neither figure was officially
The usual suite of safety features will be available on the Outlander PHEV, including around-view camera, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability will also be baked in. The Outlander PHEV will be in Mitsubishi showrooms starting in fall 2016.

2017 Aston Martin Vanquish

We start with the bad news: As previously reported, Aston Martin’s glorious-sounding naturally aspirated V-12 engine won’t be making the transition to the new DB11. The engine that has powered all of the company’s larger products since 2003, and was essentially two Ford Duratec V-6s joined at the crank, is soon to be retired and we will not hear its heavenly wail again. Black armbands will be issued.

Let’s cheer ourselves up by skipping straight to the better news, namely that the DB11has resisted the trend of reduced cylinder count and is keeping a V-12, in this case a new twin-turbocharged unit that Aston has developed itself. (We’ll have to wait until the replacement for the smaller Vantage to meet the first AMG-powered Aston.) The new 5.2-liter V-12 shares bore centers with the old 5.9-liter engine and will be built at Aston’s engine plant in Cologne, but everything else about it is claimed to be new. We suspect that the engine’s 600 horsepower—60 more than the DB9 GT—will help most potential buyers move on quickly from the pain of losing the old naturally aspirated engine. It also produces 516 lb-ft of torque, available from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm. By contrast, the DB9’s max of 457 lb-ft arrived at a lofty 5500 rpm.

2016 Cadillac Eldorado Changes and Review

This model was first introduced in 1952 and was in the production for fifty years. Eleven generations later, the production ended in 2002. Now this historic vehicle is back. For all the admirers of one of the Cadillac’s favorite models, the long wait will definitely be worth it. 2016 Cadillac Eldorado will undergo a lot of changes that will make interior and exterior of this model better than ever before. When it comes to the design of the new Eldorado, it is still hard to predict the specific aspects. We will probably see a combination of two fashion languages: Ciel and Elmiraj. This means that we will see a lot of modern elements, but the model will still stay true to its classic roots. The elegant and stylish design will be continued to the interior. The cabin will feature a lot of high quality materials including camel-colored leather, backlit titanium strips and hand-carved Brazilian rosewood. Next to the great looks and high level of comfort, new model will also be equipped with latest technological and safety features. This will make the new Eldorado more user-friendly and make the overall driving experience more enjoyable.

2017 Lexus LC 500: A Jaw-Dropping 467-hp Luxury Coupe

At the LC 500 unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show, Lexus Chief Branding Officer and Master Driver Akio Toyoda kicked off his remarks by reading a list of descriptions of Lexus from the motoring press. Words like "boring" and "bland" were featured. With the LC 500, Toyoda hopes to abolish that impression entirely.
Powered by the same naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 found in the RC F and the GS F, the new LC 500 wears styling that's shockingly similar to the original concept car. That swoopy body rests on an all-new, rear-wheel-drive platform dubbed GA-L. Lexus says it prioritized a low center of gravity and excellent weight distribution in this first iteration of the chassis, which along with aluminum, carbon-fiber, and composite bodywork, provides the LC 500 with a 52/48 front/rear weight distribution
The LC 500's 467 horses and 389 lb.-ft. of torque are sent through an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. Six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers counteract a claimed 0-60 sprint of "less than 4.5 seconds."