Automobiles Review

Author: Georgi Boychev

  • Toyota launches its new marketing campaign in honor of the new 2022 Tundra lineup

    2022 Toyota TundraToyota adds the all-new 2022 Tundra to its portfolio with the model’s global debut. With tons of new features and enhanced old ones, the new model is ready to tackle down every on- and off-road challenge.

    Launched with a new marketing campaign called “Born from Invincible”, the vehicle has a lot to demonstrate. The campaign itself was developed by Toyota’s agency record, Saatchi and Saatchi, and directed by Antoine Bardou Jacquet. The campaign makes its debut in NBC, followed by NFL and NASCAR.

    The spots demonstrate Toyota’s rich history of building world-class body-on-frame vehicles is highlighted in an action-packed montage that culminates with the global debut of the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra. In addition to the next-generation Tundra, Toyota trucks featured in the spot include: the 1987 4Runner SR5, 1960s Australian Troopy FJ45, 2007 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Tundra SR5, 2012 Tundra Platinum, 2021 NASCAR Trucks, 1985 Tacoma SR5, 1991 Australian FJ75 and Baja Truck. Keen viewers might even catch a glimpse of a 1980s icon that took us back to the future.

    From the birth of the first Land Cruiser in 1950 to the next-generation Tundra, Toyota has designed, engineered and built some of the toughest, most dependable trucks in the world, said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America, The all-new 2022 Tundra builds on that unique heritage and leads us into an even more exciting future for Toyota trucks.

    “Born from Invincible” showcases an unparalleled international truck history in a wild ride down memory lane. Toyota’s rich history of building world-class body-on-frame vehicles is highlighted in an action-packed montage that culminates with the global debut of the star of the show, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra. In addition to the next-generation Tundra, Toyota trucks featured in the spot include: the 1987 4Runner SR5, 1960s Australian Troopy FJ45, 2007 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Tundra SR5, 2012 Tundra Platinum, 2021 NASCAR Trucks, 1985 Tacoma SR5, 1991 Australian FJ75 and Baja Truck. Keen viewers might even catch a glimpse of a 1980s icon that took us back to the future.

  • Honda announces details for the new Civic Hatch lineup

    2022 Honda Civic HatchThe most advanced Civic Hatch goes on sale today. The latest addition to the lineup comes with Euro-inspired styling and tons of advanced features. Some of these include a new safety suite, drivetrain upgrades and refined lineup of egines.

    This is the most fun-to-drive Civic Hatchback we’ve ever made,  said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations at American Honda Motor Co., Inc, Our 11th-generation Civic Sedan is already a runaway success and now this all-new Civic Hatchback further amplifies the performance of the Civic lineup.

    New for the lineup is the LX trim level that incorporates 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a total of 158hp. This engine is mated to an automatic gearbox and offers tons of convenience gadgets – -inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, push-button start, partial digital instrumentation, LED headlights, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. Cargo space is an expansive 24.5 cu.-ft.

    In terms of safety, the vehicle comes with Honda’s new generation of Honda Sensing Suites. The pack includes Traffic Jam Assist and a smoother, more natural feeling to functions like Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Assist System. A rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder are also new and standard across the lineup.

    SEE ALSO: Maserati MC20 wins “Product Design of the Year” at this year’s European Product Design Award

    Depending on the trim level, the new Civic Hatch can be geared with different types of engines and transmissions, as the flagship comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and with CVT, along with a manual 6-speed manual gearbox. LED fog lights and machine-finished 18-inch alloy wheels are standard along with front and rear parking sensors, Low-Speed Braking Control, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).

     

  • Maserati MC20 wins “Product Design of the Year” at this year’s European Product Design Award

    2201 Maserati MC20The MC20 has received the award for “Product Design of the Year” 2021 from the European Product Design Award. The vehicle has also been recognized as the “Top Design Winner” in the Transportation/Auto/Truck/Mobile Home and “Winner” in Transportation/Other Transportation Design categories.

    The European Product Design Award is an event that honors the efforts and talents of designers and engineers in the automotive industry. There are thousands of vehicles and design projects that are evaluated each year and only a handful of them remain worthy for the final award.

    Klaus Busse, Maserati Head of Design, said: Our mission was to design a car that would be remembered in the future as the model that launched the Maserati New Era. And I think we’ve achieved our goal with MC20. We are honoured to receive this coveted accolade, which recognises the work of an entire team, who have made a wholehearted commitment to this unique project.

    SEE ALSO: Audi Dakar team heads to Morocco to test out the mighty RS Q e-tron

    As it comes to the vehicle, the MC20 is designed by Centro Stile Maserati in Turin and is a blend of elegance and sporty character. Maserati MC20 is innovative by nature, and every design detail is functional, and not only beautiful.

    Maserati MC20 super sports car is genuinely a 100% made-in Italy car, developed by the Maserati Innovation Lab and built at the historic Modena plant.

  • Audi Dakar team heads to Morocco to test out the mighty RS Q e-tron

    2021 Audi A8 DakarAfter some comprehensive tests in Germany and Spain, the Audi RS team heads for the desert and the dunes in the heart of Morocco. All three driver crews were involved in the project. Also, Dakar record winners Stéphane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz and Mattias Ekström took turns at the wheel of the highly complex prototype.

    As expected, their co-drivers Edouard Boulanger, Lucas Crus, and Emil Bergkvist were there. Driver and co-driver form an important unit in the Dakar Rally and they have to feel comfortable in the cockpit.

    We expect much lower temperatures at the Dakar Rally, says Andreas Roos, Nevertheless, we deliberately went to Morocco to test our concept under the most extreme conditions. Components such as the MGU, for example, were basically not developed for use in such high ambient temperatures, but the drivetrain and other components were also pushed to their limits or even beyond by the heat. The insights we gained in Morocco are invaluable, but they also show us that we still have a lot to do before the Dakar Rally and there is not much time left.

    The high-voltage battery, exclusively developed for the Dakar Rally, is also a central topic.

    SEE ALSO: Nissan Qashqai is the winner at the 2022 TowCar event

    It’s all about optimum temperature management and being able to call up the battery’s maximum performance, says Roos, This is where we are learning with every test. And that’s exactly why we are going to the desert with an electrified drivetrain: We are gaining an incredible amount of experience that we are sharing with our colleagues from road car development.

  • Nissan Qashqai is the winner at the 2022 TowCar event

    2021 Nissan QashqaiNisssan team proudly announces that the all-new electrified Qashqai model has received its first acoolade from the Caravan and Motorhome Club in the Towncar of the Year Awards.

    By surpassing 15,000 orders in the UK alone, new Qashqai Tekna Plus Xtronic was also named a winner at the show in the 1300-1400kg category.

    The judges at the show praised the model’s performance and overall quality, stating that it made a good all-round towcar, doing everything well”, and would make a “sound purchase” for any customer.

    The awards were announced at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2022, held at the Royal Automobile Club in London.

    Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd., commented: Designed, engineered, and built in the UK, the Qashqai has rewarded millions of customers with desirable, dependable and practical mobility. It supports a huge variety of lifestyle demands, including those who need accomplished towing capability. We are delighted that the all-new Nissan Qashqai has already been recognised in the prestigious Towcar of the Year Awards, just a few short months since the car went on sale.

    SEE ALSO: SEAT Leon and Ateca models are the great winners at the What Car? Tow Car Awards

    Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: With the rise in popularity of the staycation, it’s more important than ever that the Club continues to provide qualified and unbiased information for its one million members to help them to find the right towcar for their needs. We’ve also been receiving an increasing number of enquiries about the technicalities and practicalities of towing with hybrid and electric vehicles so it’s fantastic news we are seeing a boom in competition entrants and winners in these categories.

    Each vehicle at the show is put through its paces at the Millbrook Porving Ground near Bedford, and the club’s team thoroughly checked each single vehicle before handing it over the ‘caravanability’ and driving judges.

    Just like its predecessors, the third-generation Nissan Qashqai was led by the team at Nissan Design Europe, based in central London, while it was engineered by Nissan Technical Centre Europe, situated in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

    Qa

  • Stellantis team tests new Connected Safety Notification Technologies in North America

    2021 Stellanis SystemStellanis team is testingout the new -access Edge Computing (MEC) and Safety Cloud technologies in North America, which are expected to tive to drivers advanced notifications and warning for potential hazards on the road.

    Greater connectivity speeds, improved hardware, and expanded software expertise have opened new opportunities for Stellantis with safety systems being one of the many areas we focus on,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Head of Software Business and Product Management. “Through smart and strategic partnerships, we will capitalize on next-generation systems and prove out the technology.

    Working with the 5G Automotive Association, one test demonstrates a cellular 5G connection with MEC platform, which would allow the localized systems to quickly make autonomous decisions at the point where enough data is collected.

    This means that the system uses on-site cameras and sensors that collect any kind of information at an intersection that is beyond what a single vehicle can see with its systems. Furthermore, the MEC system can locally process and communicate safety risks to on-site pedestrians and other vehicles.

    SEE ALSO: Maserati MC20 wins “Product Design of the Year” at this year’s European Product Design Award

    The MEC platform demonstration evaluates a faster data exchange infrastructure for future technology applications with the ability to deliver a value chain for new connected services and increased levels of vehicle autonomy.

     

  • SEAT Leon and Ateca models are the great winners at the What Car? Tow Car Awards

    2021 SEAT LeonNew SEAT Leon and Ateca models are the winners at this year’s What Car? Tow Car Awards for Leon in the “Up to 1400kg” category, and the Ateca in the ‘1550–1699kg’ group.

    The new SEAT Leon comes with an elegant new design and an enhanced suite of advanced technologies. Available with petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, the vehicle can also be greately personalized in numerous ways.

    Steve Huntingford, Editor at What Car?, said: Stability is the most important thing when towing, and it can be in short supply when a car is light. However, despite being one of the lightest and most affordable models tested this year, the Leon punches well above its weight, pulling a caravan straight and true at 60mph and beyond. Meanwhile, our practicality testers were impressed by the neatly installed retractable tow ball – not a feature you expect from a car at this price.

    At the same time, the Ateca model brings some freshness to the mid-size SUV market with its perfect blend between urban capabilities and off-road setup. The model was recognized for its agile drivetrain system and the 4WD system, all along with the revised DSG-auto gearbox.

    SEE ALSO: Fiat presents the new 500X Dolcevita model

    Commenting on the Ateca’s win, Steve said: Towing also comes easily to the Ateca. Its 2.0 TDI 150PS engine has all the pull you might need to handle any sensibly matched caravan. And even when cruising at the UK towing limit the Ateca feels in complete control.

    A real bonus is how enjoyable to drive both cars are when they don’t have a caravan on the back, given that most tow car drivers will spend far more time in everyday driving than towing.

     

  • Mopar announces a full set of exclusive 2021 Jeep Cherokee L parts and accessories

    2021-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-L-910Mopar team announces its latest and exclusive factory-backed and super-high quality accessories for the all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

    The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L presents a great opportunity for customization and personalization, said Mark Bosanac, North America Vice President, Mopar Service, Parts & Customer Care, Across the entire Jeep Grand Cherokee L lineup, we offer 75 factory-backed, quality-tested accessories.

    The Jeep brand continues to shatter expectations of the full-size SUV segment with the all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, said Jim Morrison, Vice President, Jeep Brand North America, Now with a third row of seating for the first time, the newest iteration of the most awarded SUV ever is designed and engineered to deliver an unmatched combination of even more legendary 4×4 capability, superior on-road refinement, premium styling and craftsmanship inside and out.

    The full set of goodies include:

    New 21-inch wheels (82215994AA | $550 each): Mopar-unique, 21-inch, Granite Crystal wheels feature a five-spoke, triple-split design and include a matching Jeep center cap.

    New side steps (82216146AD | $750): Fully integrated side steps, especially designed to flow with the vehicle’s design. Made from black galvanized steel with stainless steel and chrome-flashed overlay, the steps are then powder-coated for a durable finish. The steps attach with three mounting brackets and stud plates on each side, with no drilling required.

    Roof-mount cargo basket (TCCAN859 | $350): Providing extra storage capacity when out on the trails, this Canyon version roof basket is 44 inches long x 39 inches wide x 6.5 inches high and features the Jeep logo. Its low-profile design with an integrated wind deflector helps air flow efficiently over cargo. Maximum load capacity is 150 pounds. Mopar cross bars (detailed below) are required to install the roof basket and use of a Mopar basket net (detailed below) to secure cargo is recommended.

    Roof-rack cross bars (82216036AB | $300): Black roof-rack cross bars (two per kit) fit vehicles equipped with production side rails and enables attachment of all Mopar roof-mount carriers. Cross bars are finished with a durable powder coat.

    Cargo-basket net (82209422AB | $54): Net stretches over the cargo basket to keep contents securely in place. The durable, black, elastic net is held in place with 14 plastic hooks.

    Watersport carrier (TCKAY883 | $200): Watersport carrier can transport a kayak, surfboard or sailboard and has multi-position cradles to fit flat or curved hulls. Carrier comes complete with latching and a push-button nylon strap to retain cargo. The accessory attaches easily to Mopar roof-rack cross bars (detailed above).

    Bike carrier (TCOES599 | $200): Upright, roof-mounted bike carrier fits one bicycle. Automatic, self-adjusting jaws provide perfect clamping every time. Accommodates bike frames up to 3-1/8 inch in diameter.

    Tent kit (82212604 | $390): Blue and gray tent has a 10-by-10-foot sleeping area, overhead storage net, inside pockets, two doors, three large mesh windows, exterior canopy (7 feet by 6 feet), 7-by-6-foot screened room, and a carrying case for easy storage.

    SEE ALSO: 50 years of Volkswagen Jetta GLI: what has changed

    Splash guards (Front – 82216018AB | Rear – 82216019AB | $65): Molded-black splash guards (two per set) protect the vehicle from road spray and debris. Rear set features Jeep logo.

    All-weather floor mats (82216152AC | $260): Heavy-duty rubber, all-weather floor mats feature a bucket-style design to provide full coverage of carpet in the vehicle’s footwells. Included are two front-row mats, two second-row mats and one third-row runner mat. Mats are black and feature the Jeep logo.

    Rear-seat entertainment (82216033AA | $1,625): Rear-seat entertainment includes a roof-mounted DVD player with 10-inch display screen. Also included in the kit is a Seal Gray bezel, mounting bracket with hardware, two Bluetooth headphones and one Bluetooth remote control.

    Pet kennel (82213729AC | $190): Collapsible kennel keeps pets secure while traveling. Black nylon mesh construction includes two pockets, carrying handle, three doors, webbing zipper pulls and straps.

    Cargo liner (82216020AA | $165): Vinyl cargo liner is black and designed to cover the backs of the second- and/or third-row seats when they are folded down. The liner features the Jeep logo and comes with a storage bag.

    Cargo tray (82216149AC | $150): Molded cargo tray covers the entire rear-cargo area behind the third-row seat in order to protect vehicle carpet from water, mud, dirt, grime and stains. Tray is black and features the Jeep logo.

  • Fiat presents the new 500X Dolcevita model

    2021-Fiat-500x-Dolcevita-910The Fiat 500X Dolcevita makes its debut today! The sweet new addition to the 500 lineup offers this well-known versatility, as well as some neat customization goodies.

    For example, new for the model is the soft top – it opens for 15 seconds and ensures good visibility and an open-air experience, even for passengers in the back. The canvas is available in black, grey and red, to match the ten body colours available.

    The range is available with three trim levels, each standing out from the other two. Here they are:

    The Connect trim level is directed at customers who want to stay connected at all times. It comes as standard with the 7-inch Uconnect infotainment system with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. New features include black seats, a techno-leather steering wheel, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The specs also feature blacked-out windows, fog lights, and LED DRLs.

    With the Cross trim level, the 500X incorporates dynamism and its character as a crossover, designed to get away from city traffic and to experience exciting off-road adventures. This version debuts new seats with a camouflage-patterned center panel, vinyl inserts, 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, and parking sensors as standard.

    SEE ALSO: Ford makes a strategic partnership with MS-RT

    The top of the range is the Sport trim level, marked out by its exclusive, unmistakable look, with burnished black 19-inch  alloy wheels, side skirts, rear spoiler, new black fabric sports seats with red piping and 500 logo, automatic air conditioning, new matte titanium dashboard, and 3.5-inch color TFT.

    The engine range consists of two petrol units – 120hp 1.0-litre and 150hp 1.3-litre Firefly models and both are available from launch.

  • 50 years of Volkswagen Jetta GLI: what has changed?

    2021 Volkswagen JettaFor 50 years, the Jetta has proven itself as one of the most trustworthy and beloved Volkswagen models ever created. Especially popular among the North Americans, the Jetta GLI offers enhanced power and performance, as well as cutting-edge safety and utility features.

    The Jetta GLI first arrived in the US back in 1984. Following the success oft the Golf GTI, VW team decided to create a similar sporty version of the Jetta. However, unlike the Golf, the Jetta offers four or five doors, as well as spacious trunk, and ample cargo space.

    This meant that the GLI’s first iteration was able to incorporate tons of cutting-edge technologies. Such included a fuel-injected, 90-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine with revised cylinder heads, lighter pistons and higher compression ratio. It also had a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission and improved sports suspension.

    Throughout the years, Jetta GLI evolved even more and in 1990 debuted with the first 16-valve, 2.0-liter engine.

    Sometime later, the new millennium brought new improvements to the Jetta. Such include 2.8-liter narrow-angle VR6, and an efficient 1.8-liter turbocharged for even later versions. Then the Mk5 was unveiled – the vehicle featured an agile 2.0-liter TSI turbo engine that generated a total of 200hp and came with an independent rear suspension and exclusive 18-inch alloys.

    In 2012, Jetta GLI Mk6 was introduced and offered a fully independent rear suspension and luxurious interior.

    SEE ALSO: Porsche is the winner at the J.D. Power APEAL Study for 3rd consecutive year

    In 2020, the current generation of Jetta GLI debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, based on the successful MQB platform, offers the 2.0 liter engine out of the GTI with 228 horsepower and an available manual transmission. These Mk7 GLI models feature a VAQ electronically-controlled, torque-sensing, limited-slip differential which hydraulically varies torque to each front wheel, working in tandem with the XDS electronic differential lock to reduce understeer and limit wheelspin. The seventh-generation Jetta GLI includes a plethora of new interior features including available ten-color customizable ambient lighting, heated front seats, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit.

    For 2022, a midcycle refresh brings Jetta GLI a ton of changes. The refreshed Jetta GLI keeps the 2.0-liter turbo TSI engine, which now delivers 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and is mated to either the seven-speed DSG automatic or a six-speed manual. The GLI exterior upgrades include a new honeycomb grille and a bumper which encompass the signature GLI red accent lines on either side. The design is rounded out with new 18-inch alloy wheels. GLI interior upgrades refine the sporty appearance of this much-loved model.

     

     

  • Porsche is the winner at the J.D. Power APEAL Study for 3rd consecutive year

    2021-Porsche-910Porsche won the top sport with customers among premium brands in the J.D. Power 2021 US Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study. This is the third year in a row in which Porsche elands at No.1 ranking in the premium category in the annual study of customer experience with owning and driving a new car.

    It is exciting to see drivers connecting with what we think is the best, most complete range of sports cars we’ve ever had, said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, Inc, This result only encourages us to continue working to deliver dreams that surprise and delight our customers.

    The 2021 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study measures the owners’ emotional attachment and level of pleasure with their new vehicle across a comprehensive list of 37 categories and attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort and luxury on climbing on driver’s seat to the power they feel when they step on the gas. All these attributes combine into an overall APEAL index score measured on a 1,000-point scale.

    SEE ALSO: Ford makes a strategic partnership with MS-RT

    Porsche has managed to earn 882 points on the 1,000-point scale, compared to the premium brand average of 864. The result was a tie with the winner of the mass market category. The study, now in its 26th year, is based on responses gathered from February through July of this year from more than 11,800 users who have shared their impressions after a 90-day ownership period.

  • Ford makes a strategic partnership with MS-RT

    2021 Ford MSRTMS-RT, the design-led automotive engineering company with a track record for low volume, premium special edition models in the Commercial Vehicle Sector, is taking the advantage of its exclusive partnership with the Ford team.

    The recent productive dialogues will result in seeing the new MS-RT moving onto Ford’s Dagenham estate to undertake further customization, but also will enable MS-RT to lock up its logo with Ford’s Blue Oval, one of the most popular and well-recognized marks in the world.

    The senior MS-RT team is currently working with Ford’s Commercial Vehicle engineering team in order to deliver eye-catching MS-RT derivatives of the next-gen Transit Custom and Ranger products.

    This fresh collaboration signifies the growth between the two brands and the desire of both to expand their businesses and assure that the latest Ford vehicles will be of the highest quality.

    Steve Cootes, MS-RT’s Commercial Director, said: We are delighted to be working so closely with Ford, a company with whom I spent 23 years of my career in the industry. We bring a distinctive, stand-out, and sporty brand of Commercial Vehicles to Ford’s range, and will continue to push boundaries to ensure that owners of MS-RT derivatives are the envy of the sector.

    SEE ALSO:

    Drawing on its close association with M-Sport, MS-RT currently produces three rally car design-inspired Commercial Vehicles for sale in the UK and Europe – the Transit Connect MS-RT, the Transit Custom MS-RT and the Ranger MS-RT, available through Ford’s Transit Specialist Dealer network.