South Korea’s Ssangyong Motors has published the first official pictures of a new subcompact crossover called Tivoli.
Named after a picturesque town in central Italy, Ssangyong’s newest model stands out from nearly every off-roader the company has built in the past thanks to a more upscale appearance characterized by sharp headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, a deep bumper with a sizable air dam and a sculpted hood. The company says the Tivoli previews its next design language, indicating that it is preparing to ditch its utilitarian roots and move closer to the mainstream.

The premium treatment continues inside with piano black and faux aluminum trim, two-tone upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity and a touch screen-based infotainment system. The instrument cluster is made up of two analog gauges and a configurable thin-film transistor (TFT) screen, and select models can be fitted with a rear-view camera.

Sssangyong has announced the Tivoli will be offered with a pair of 1.6-liter four-cylinder engines but it is keeping full technical details under wraps for the time being.

The Ssangyong Tivoli will be fully unveiled at a private event that will be held next month. It will greet the public for first time in March at the Geneva Motor Show and it will go on sale across Europe and Asia shortly after. An earlier report indicates that Ssangyong parent company Mahindra and Mahindra has taken the preliminary steps to bring the Korean automaker to U.S. shores so the Tivoli could arrive here and take on the Nissan Juke before the end of its life cycle.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Or at least that’s the case with the 2015 Chrysler 300.
Now a decade removed from its modern reboot, Chrysler is turning back to the “original” 2005 300 as inspiration for the 2015 re-do of its flagship sedan. Forget the softer styling that adorned the second-generation 300, with the 2015 300 bold is back in vogue.

But more than just an exterior nip-and-tuck, the 2015 300 freshening also includes a new interior and the long-overdue retirement of Chrysler’s archaic five-speed auto.

So can this new 2015 model recapture some of the magic that made the 2005 300 a smash success? Come with us as we find out.

Refined bling
The most notable change to the front end of the 2015 300 is the application of a new grille that trades the chromed slats of last year’s model for a mesh treatment. Chrysler’s winged logo has also been relocated from the hood to a floating position within the upper portion of the grille.

And no, you’re eyes aren’t deceiving you; the 300′s grille is bigger than ever. Chrysler proudly boasts that the 2015 300′s grille is 33 percent larger than the outgoing model’s.

The 300′s headlights haven’t changed much, but you’ll notice that amber side markers have been moved to the vehicle’s wheel arches. As a part of its “refined bling” philosophy, chrome strips that used to sit like eye black on an athlete have been deleted from the 300′s face.

The lower portion of the 300′s bumper has been restyled so that the grille and LED foglights share a single design aesthetic. Cars equipped with adaptive cruise control get a sensor mounted in the center of the lower grille.

The rear of the 300 has been updated with new LED taillights that include an outer “halo.” In a nod to the 2005 car, the new lenses are flat rather than ridged like the previous model’s. A metal accent remains on the upper portion of the 300′s bumper, but it no longer connects the two taillights.

Designers tucked in the lower corner’s of the 300′s bumper, giving the car the illusion of tighter proportions. Sculpted dual exhaust outlets replace the rounded units seen on last year’s car.

The model seen here is the range-topping 300C Platinum, which uses a satin finish rather than chrome on the car’s wheels, door handles and side mirrors. The sport oriented 300S gets hyper black wheels and body-colored handles and mirrors. To further enhance its sinister look, the S also receives black chrome accents, blacked-out head- and taillights, hyper black wheels, and the line’s only available rear spoiler. S models equipped with the optional HEMI V8 also get unique side sills.

The view from inside
As with the exterior, the interior of the 2015 300 doesn’t have any radical changes but there are few tweaks that make for a better overall package.

The 300′s steering wheels in a new design that debuted on the smaller 200 sedan. More modern than the unit it replaces, the 300′s updated wheel features a two-tone color option and available paddle shifters. Behind that wheel resides a new gauge cluster complete with a configurable 7-inch LCD display.

The 300′s 8.4-inch UConnect system is carryover, but now features more apps, including a remote starter application for your smartphone.

The 300′s HVAC control panel is new and now includes a few extra buttons for functions like lane departure warning and a ‘Sport’ setting.

All 300 models get a rotary shift dial in place of last year’s joystick gear lever. We never liked the 300′s vague lever — it stayed in the same spot regardless of gear selected — but the new dial comes across as a little gimmicky. It’d be nice if the dial cleared some room for additional storage, as in the Chrysler 200.

Interior materials are pretty much the same as last year, but high-end models get upgrades like open-pore wood accents, a two-tone beige and navy blue color combo, and quilted leather seats. Lower-spec models can only be had in black or beige; we think it’d be nice to have another interior color option, like a darker tobacco brown.

Drivetrain
Power for the 300 Limited, C and Platinum models is provided by a standard 3.6L V6 making 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Step up to the racier S trim — which also includes a sport-tuned suspension — and those figures increase to an even 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive can be had for another $2,500.

For power-hungry drivers, Chrysler’s sensational 5.7L HEMI V8 — rated at 363 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque — can be added to any trim (save for the Limited) for $3,000. Citing a low take rate, Chrysler has eliminated AWD from the 300 V8′s option list. The high-performance SRT model is also a thing of the past.

Regardless of trim or spec, the 2015 Chrysler 300 use an eight-speed automatic transmission. Standard on V6-powered models for the last few years, 2015 marks the eight-speed’s first pairing with the 300′s V8. The result is a 1mpg bump in city driving and a 0.2 second improvement in the car’s 0-60 performance.

Rounding out the mechanical changes, electric power steering replaces the 300′s hydraulic rack for 2015.

On road
Although the vast majority of buyers opt for the V6 (about 85 percent, according to Chrysler), we couldn’t help but reach for the keys of a 300C V8 for our day-long test drive.

Starting out from the heart of downtown Austin, the 300C immediately proved to be quiet and comfortable cocoon, isolating us from the noise and confusion of the morning rush hour. Tipping the scales at more than 4,000 pounds, the 300 is a substantial vehicle, and it feels that way out on the road. The 300 rolls over potholes and other road imperfection with nary a shutter or jolt.

Once we finally broke free of city traffic, we were able to dip into the 300′s V8 grunt. Power is instantaneous and keeps on rolling thanks to the quick-shifting of the eight-speed auto. If you want to take things into your own hands, you can shift through the gears via the 300′s steering wheel-mounted paddles. If you want even more control, slide the shift dial to ‘S’ and the 300 will hold gears until you tell it to shift, even if you’re banging off the rev limiter.

Steering in the 300 is surprisingly good, offering a direct feel and good weight. We’d even go as far as to call it better than the hydraulic unit it replaces.

The 300′s base suspension is comfortable around town but also lets you have a little fun on the twisties. Body lean is a non-issue and the 300 feels well-balanced. We spent a short time behind the wheel of a 300S V6 and found it to be even better at carving up the corners.

Of course most 300s will spend their lives cruising the highway, and in this regard the big sedan doesn’t disappoint. Driving aids like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and blind spot monitoring make steady-state driving a stress-free affair.

Leftlane’s bottom line
Only slightly new but certainly improved, the 2015 Chrysler 300 remains a top contender in the full-size sedan segment.

Offering bold looks, an upscale interior and a rear-wheel drive layout, the 300 sits as an interesting alternative to vehicle like the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon. When the 2015 300 finally hits the market, we have a feeling Chrysler will be partying like its 2005 all over again.

2015 Chrysler 300 Limited, base price $31,395.
2015 Chrysler 300S, base price $34,895.
2015 Chrysler 300C, base price $37,895
2015 Chrysler 300C Platinum, base price $42,395.
Prices exclude a mandatory $995 destination charge.

General Motors has reportedly embraced aluminum to help minimize the upcoming Cadillac CT6‘s curb weight.
The brand’s new flagship sedan will use an aluminum body, enabling it to hit a weight target between 3,700-4,100 lbs, unnamed sources have told Automobile. If true, the CT6 heft will be on par with the CTS despite a larger overall form.

Built upon GM’s rear-wheel-drive Omega platform, the CT6 is said to be the first model to introduce the company’s next-generation engine family. A 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 has been mentioned as the primary powerplant, alongside a new V8 and a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

A CT6 Vsport is also expected, though speculation surrounding an even more hardcore CT6-V remain unclear.

Full details will be confirmed when the CT6 makes its official debut, potentially as early as April at the New York auto show.

Tesla Motors has confirmed that the Roadster upgrade will bring a significant improvement in range.
“Roadster upgrade will enable non-stop travel from LA to SF — almost 400 mile range,” Tesla chief Elon Musk said in a Twitter post.

The previous roadster was powered by a 56 kWh battery, good for approximately 245 miles on a full charge, however the revised model integrates newer battery cells for a total capacity of 70 kWh.

The two-seater benefits from improved aerodynamics, dropping the drag coefficient (Cd) from 0.36 to 0.31 — an improvement of 15 percent, accessible to existing Roadsters via a retrofit kit. Rolling resistance has also been reduced, thanks to new wheel bearings, better brakes and new tires.

The executive suggests Tesla’s electric sedan will also get a battery upgrade, but not in the immediate future.

“Should mention that a battery pack upgrade is not coming soon for the Model S, but it obviously *will* happen long-term,” Musk noted.

Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the Roadster upgrade will bring a significant improvement in range.
“Roadster upgrade will enable non-stop travel from LA to SF — almost 400 mile range,” the executive said in a Twitter post.

The current roadster is powered by a 56 kWh battery, good for approximately 245 miles on a full charge, however the model has been out of production for nearly three years as the company focused on the Model S.

The executive suggests Tesla’s electric sedan will also get a battery upgrade, but not in the immediate future.

“Should mention that a battery pack upgrade is not coming soon for the Model S, but it obviously *will* happen long-term,” Musk noted.

Additional details surrounding the Roadster upgrade are due to be announced later today.

Messing with success typically isn’t a good idea, but Ford’s decision to replace its best-selling E-Series van with the new Transit is proving to be a wise move.
Ford delivered more than 4,800 Transits during the month of November, besting all other competitors in the full-size cargo van segment, including Ford’s lame-duck E-Series and the Chevrolet Express. November was the Transit’s first month at the top of the sales charts.

Since its June launch, Ford has delivered more than 10,000 units of its Transit to buyers.

“We’re really excited to see Transit take over in such a big way — and so quickly,” Yaro Hetman, Transit brand manager, told The Detroit News. “We had no plans at all to let down on our leadership in the van segment.”

The E-Series that the Transit will eventually replace has been the best-selling large van in the United States for the last 34-years in a row.

Ford credits a wide range of powertrain and body style options as a key reason for the Transit’s success. An improving economy has also boosted overall van sales — the segment is up 14 percent this year.

Ford doesn’t forecast Transit sales, but the Dearborn-based automaker expects demand to only climb higher.

“We’re just looking at steadily increasing — 4,800 is just the beginning for sales,” Hetman said.

Tesla Motors has launched a trade-in program aimed at bolstering sales in China.
The California-based company is helping potential customers get rid of their existing rides, selling the used cars via established networks and deducting the sale value from the Model S’ sticker price, according to a Bloomberg report.

Tesla encountered a few headaches as it entered the world’s largest automotive market, with early buyers frustrated by delivery delays. The company plans to build the Model S in China within approximately four years to help accommodate anticipated demand.

Chinese buyers face a 648,000-yuan (~$104,000 USD) price tag for the electric sedan, which can be charged at hundreds of stations located throughout the country.

Porsche may have canceled plans for a sub-Boxster sports car model dubbed the 718, but the German automaker is reportedly still moving forward with the reintroduction of that iconic nameplate.
Although no longer earmarked for a cheaper sports car, Automobile reports that Porsche will use the 718 designation — which was used on a Porsche race car in the late 1950s and early 60s — for its next-generation Boxster and Cayman models. The name swap will better align the Boxster and Cayman with Porsche’s most recognizable vehicle, the 911. And like the 911 — which can be had from base Carrera to range-topping Turbo S — Porsche is planning to offer several different performance variants of the 718 range.

Among those new 718 models will be a base model powered by a 2.0L flat-four with about 285 horsepower. Although not a true entry-level model, the 2.0L 718 will essentially stand as the “baby Boxster” Porsche decided to can.

Porsche will also offer the 718 with a 360 horsepower 2.5L flat-four and a turbocharged version with about 400 horsepower. At this point it’s unknown if any 718 model will use a six-cylinder powerplant.

Like the 911, the 718 will be offered as both a coupe and convertible.

Porsche’s new 718 line is expected to debut sometime in 2016 for the 2017 model year.

Subaru has reportedly killed plans to build the XV Crosstrek at its US production facility.
The company had been expected to manufacture approximately 65,000 Crosstrek units each year in Lafayette, Indiana, however the model is now slated to be assembled at a plant near Tokyo, unnamed sources have told Reuters.

The decision is said to have been partially inspired by a weak yen, which has encouraged Japanese automakers to focus on domestic production.

Subaru early in 2013 announced a $400 million expansion plan for its Lafayette plant, despite putting an end to a production agreement with Toyota to build the Camry at the facility. It is unclear if the currency valuation will also affect plans to relocate Impreza production to Indiana.

The company is on track for record sales in the US market, with deliveries up by more than 20 percent for the first 11 months of the year.

Takata president Stefan Stocker has reportedly stepped aside amid the ongoing recall crisis.
Stocker — the supplier’s first non-Japanese president — will retain his position on the board, as the company’s grandson and current chairman, Shigehisa Takada, takes on the added responsibilities, according to Reuters.

Notably, most of the criticism so far has focused on Takada, not Stocker, after both executives spent months avoiding any public appearances as the defect debacle continued to grow.

The company currently faces federal investigations in the US, with former employees alleging a coverup that could lead to significant penalties if the claims prove accurate. Numerous lawsuits are also focused on the faulty airbags, which in some cases have exploded with enough force to send shrapnel flying through the vehicle cabin.

Recall campaigns from major automakers have already affected tens of millions of vehicles, with the possibility of further expanions as the investigations continue.