The Lexus IS entered its third generation recently and since then, it’s been praised as the best Lexus IS yet, winning the hearts and minds of even CARandDRIVER over the BMW 3-Series, in their last compact luxury sports sedan comparo.
So the latest Lexus IS good, actually, really good when equipped with its F-Sport package.
Power comes thanks to Toyota’s ubiquitous V6 in either 2.5L or 3.5L form, which carry over basically unchanged. The base IS250 produces 204hp and 185 lb-ft of torque while the IS350 produces 306hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it the clear choice in the lineup for those who like to drive–that is, until the new IS F comes about.
Transferring the power to the rear-wheels or all four, depending on which you choose, is a six-speed automatic while the rear-wheel drive IS350 is the only version that currently gets Lexus’ latest eight-speed automatic.
Check out the review here by our colleagues at AutoNation.
Mazda’s latest Mazda6 sedan is probably one of the best things to ever happen to the midsize sedan market and since its debut in 2012, we’ve quietly been waiting for new variants to pop up.
For instance, we’re still patiently waiting for the Mazda6 diesel, which the brand promised to launch with the new 6 back in 2012. But it’s since been delayed due to some unspecified technical difficulties.
Additionally, we’re still waiting to see if Mazda will produce a successor to the original MazdaSpeed6 with this generation, or if they’ll add any significant changes such as the addition of all-wheel drive. Well, for starters, they just introduced an all-wheel drive version of the latest 6, but it’s only for the Bosnian and Herzegovinan markets.
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Toyota debuted a new special line of trucks last year called the TRD Pro line, consisting of a factory-backed and modified Tacoma, 4Runner, and Tundra, all of which feature a slew of Toyota Racing Development upgrades to gear the trucks towards off-road enthusiasts.
Upgrades include under body skid plate protection, lift kits, serious all-terrain rubber, and more.
Check out the video after the jump. But be forewarned, it’ll make you want to go off-roading.
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Tesla’s latest iteration of the Model S, or the P85D, has been taking the auto community by storm, mainly because it’s the most powerful Model S ever and because it’s an EV–all of that power is pretty much instantaneous.
How much power are we talking? A combined output of 691hp and a dyno-approved 864 lb-ft of torque. The result is a 0-60 time of just 3.1 seconds and a quarter mile sprint in just 11.6 seconds at 115 mph. And the creepiest thing about it–it does so in an absolutely silent manner…well, sort of.
Check out the video after the jump.
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The entry-level luxury market is something the Germans have once again found success in, particularly in America. But in Europe and abroad and even in Canada, the German luxury automakers have been doing just fine selling entry-level models like the Audi A1, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, and the BMW 1-Series.
However, none of these cars were ever imported into the United States because of fears of diluting the brand identity as a top-tier luxury automaker. It was only recently that they began selling more accessible models, like the Mercedes-Benz CLA and the Audi A3, both of which are still a step above the aforementioned examples like the B-Class and Audi A1.
But if you ever wondered if we’re going to get any more models like the A3 and A1, unfortunately, it ain’t gonna happen…at least, from Audi.
In a recent interview with Wards Auto, Audi doesn’t plan on selling any cars below the A3’s price point and threshold in order to preserve the perceived value of more high-end models, such as the new Q7, the anticipated larger crossover, the Q8, and Audi’s rumored new flagship, the A9.
Source: Wards Auto
The 2015 Jeep Renegade will apparently require $17,995 for those looking to pickup the brand’s new subcompact crossover.
For that, you get a pretty basic two-wheel drive Renegade Sport. It’s so basic in fact that the entry-level stripped down model doesn’t even come with air conditioning, an amenity you’d often expect these days as standard even on the most basic models.
Other exclusions from the standard options list include cruise control and heated power mirrors, which you’ll have to get in a package if you want air-con.
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We already know Porsche’s working on a new midsize sedan to slot below the Panamera, to better compete with the likes of the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Now, AutoMotorundSport learned Porsche’s even on board with making an EV version of the highly-anticipated Pajun (as it’s being called right now) to compete with Tesla, despite Porsche saying they have no interest in competing with the brand before in the past
But judging by this new bit of news, Porsche indeed has their sights set on Tesla in some way, shape, or form, because the Pajun will reportedly now be an EV only and all conventional turbo gas and diesel engines have been axed for said Pajun.
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AutoCar recently received some big news from BMW after speaking with BMW M’s chief, Frank van Meel.
According to their finding, the Bavarian automaker might be in the works with full-fledged M versions of the X3 and the X4. But further more, van Meel hinted that the M5 might also gain all-wheel drive as an option, which follows up to several rumors surfacing in the past.
Beginning with the X3 and the X4, the M version would most likely follow the way of their larger brethren, the X5 M and X6 M, which means more power, more performance, lots of chassis, suspension and steering tweaks, and more M badges than engine displacement in liters.
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Cadillac’s president, Johan de Nysschen, reportedly spoke at a press conference at the Washington Auto Show last week to share that we could expect to see more electrified cars in the near future in Cadillac’s lineup.
This is interesting to hear mainly since de Nysschen was initially against Audi’s initiative for plug-in vehicles when he ran the Ingolstadt-based automaker.
Now he’s at Cadillac, he seems to have changed his mind.
According to him, Cadillac’s brand electrification would go perfectly in line General Motors’ overall commitment to EVs, with examples like the Chevrolet Volt and the Cadillac ELR, despite the latter being an extremely slow seller.
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Lovers of fans of Zuffenhausen’s prancing horse should either prepare to cringe or click away immediately…
Enthusiast site FlatSixes.com reports via local news in Sacramento that a big Porsche show burned to a crisp in a recent fire, taking along with it, a slew of priceless classics. One of those classics is supposedly the world’s most original and pristine 911 RSR. Ouch…
That model is the last model year before the 911’s first major change up, a 1973 example, chassis number 911.360.1008. It was originally owned by the shop’s proprietor, an individual by the name of Mr. John Skoien.
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