Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Volkswagen Passat GTE 2016 - car news

Volkswagen Passat GTE shown at the Paris show

The plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Passat GTE has been revealed at the Paris motor show, with promises of 141mpg fuel economy.

The Passat uses a similar engine and electric battery combination to the plug-in Golf GTE, with a 154bhp 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and a 15bhp motor combining to create a total power output of 215bhp.

Volkswagen claims that the Passat GTE will be capable of official fuel economy of more than 141mpg and CO2 emissions of 37g/km, and will be able to travel up to 31 miles on electric power alone. Despite its economy, the Passat GTE offers a 0-62mph time of less than 8.0 seconds and a top speed of 136mph. It can go up to 80mph on electricity alone, and has a total range of more than 600 miles on electric and petrol combined.

The GTE comes with a high level of equipment including LED headlihgts, rain sensors, part assist, driver-alert system, post-collision braking and a blue colourscheme unique to Volkswagen's e-mobility models.

It also comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6.5-inch touchscreen and a smartphone application that allows access to lots of different functions. Owners will be able to turn the climate control on remotely, see how charge the car has and see where it is parked.

It will be offered in both saloon and estate bodystyles, and comes with a six-speed DSG gearbox as standard.

The hybrid technology means that the GTE loses some of the practicality of the conventionally powered Passat, with the batteries positioned under the boot floor. However, it is only some under-floor space that is lost, and it still has a small amount of out-of-sight space.

The Passat GTE is expected in the region £32,000 when it goes on sale in 2015. It will be available to order in June, with first cars being delivered in October. -

Monday, August 17, 2015

2015 BMW 7-Series _ car news

BMW 7-Series Review

The 2015 BMW 7-Series ranks 2 out of 6. This ranking is based on our analysis of published reviews and test drives of the BMW 7-Series, as well as reliability and safety data.

The 2015 BMW 7-Series’ comfortable cabin, poised ride and new diesel engine impress critics, though they say that some rivals offer sharper handling and more opulent interiors.

Test drivers write that the base BMW 740i’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine provides ample power, though they note that the new diesel-powered 740Ld feels more powerful, and it gets better fuel economy as well. Auto writers say the 750i's muscular twin-turbocharged V8 delivers stunning acceleration. Other available trims include the ActiveHybrid7, the performance-oriented Alpina B7 and the V12-powered 760Li. The 7-Series comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. The 740i gets an EPA-estimated 19/29 mpg city/highway, which is fairly good for the class, while the 740Ld gets 23/31, which is great for a super luxury car. Some reviewers say the 7-Series handles with athleticism, but others think it isn’t as fun to drive as cars like the Jaguar XJ and Porsche Panamera. The 2015 7-Series receives praise for its accurate steering and powerful brakes, and critics say its smooth ride makes it a great companion for high-speed cruising.

While auto writers agree that the 2015 BMW 7-Series has top-quality interior materials, some think the cabin design is too understated compared with its competitors’. Supportive front seats and spacious rear seats, especially in the long-wheelbase (L) models, help enhance the 7-Series’ appeal among critics. The 7-Series offers a good amount of trunk space for the class. Automotive journalists write that the 7-Series’ iDrive infotainment system is user-friendly and has a sharp display. Standard features in the 2015 BMW 740i include leather upholstery, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, quad-zone automatic climate control and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which includes navigation, a USB port, Bluetooth, satellite radio and smartphone app integration. Available features include forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, a surround-view parking camera system, active parallel park assist, night vision with pedestrian detection, a Harman Kardon or Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system, a head-up display, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, ventilated and massaging front seats and a heated steering wheel. Long-wheelbase models are available with features like power-adjustable rear seats with heating, ventilating and massaging features.

2015 Chevrolet SS - car news

Chevrolet SS Review

The 2015 Chevrolet SS ranks 3 out of 11 . This ranking is based on our analysis of published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet SS, as well as reliability and safety data.

Automotive journalists are impressed with the 2015 Chevrolet SS' sporty handling, powerful acceleration and high-end interior.

The 2015 Chevrolet SS comes with a standard V8 engine that test drivers say delivers exceptional acceleration. A six-speed manual or automatic transmission is available, but some reviewers find the automatic has sluggish downshifts. Even for a V8-powered sedan, the 2015 SS' fuel economy is low, at an EPA-estimated 14/21 mpg city/highway with the automatic transmission. According to auto journalists, the Chevrolet SS has athletic handling, responsive steering and controlled body motions through turns. Reviewers comment that it also has a comfortable ride on rough roads.

A handsome interior and high-end materials are hallmarks of the 2015 Chevrolet SS, according to automotive critics. The front seats are comfortable and roomy, they say, and they comment that legroom in the back seats is generous. For the class, the SS has a reasonably large trunk. The 2015 SS comes standard with navigation, Bluetooth, a USB port, a nine-speaker Bose audio system, a rearview camera, a head-up display, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and Chevy's voice-controlled MyLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen. A power sunroof is optional. Test drivers think the controls on the SS' center stack are logically arranged and say that MyLink’s voice recognition system is easy to operate.