2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

Honda just announced some a lot more information about the upcoming 2016 Pilot SUV. No, we nevertheless do not know the actual cost, but we do know how you’ll be in a position to option the 3-row, minivan-primarily based crossover. Let’s take a tour of the scintillating SUV’s 5 trim levels.

At the bottom of the pile is the Pilot LX, the base-model spec that is hardly a no-content material stripper. LX models will get the 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that’s the only motivator across the Pilot line, coupled to a common 6-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is accessible. The base model comes regular with Bluetooth, a 5-inch LCD in the dash, a 200-watt stereo with 7 speakers and a sub.

Next in line is the Pilot EX, packing remote begin, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and a bigger 8-inch touchscreen with SirusXM and Pandora. The EX gets Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management method with 2 modes for FWD models (Typical and Snow) or 4 modes with AWD (Typical, Mud, Sand, Snow). The EX also delivers the optional Honda Sensing security package that combines Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and adaptive cruise handle.

A single additional rung up is the Pilot EX-L, which gussies factors up with a leather interior, a energy moonroof, a energy tailgate, one-touch energy-folding second-row seats, 4-way energy passenger seat, and heated front seats. With the step up to the EX-L, you also get GPS with voice recognition and reside targeted traffic updates, as properly as an available rear-seat entertainment method and fancy acoustic glass on the windshield.

This is exactly where factors get fancy. Bootstrap yourself up to the Pilot Touring, and you will improve your forward gears by 50 percent—this trim level comes with Honda’s 1st 9-speed automatic, such as paddle shifters (God knows why). Ditch those plebeian 18-inch wheels for self-respecting 20s, a Blu-Ray-capable rear-seat entertainment program, blue ambient interior lighting, a 540-watt stereo, and physique-colour mirrors. The Touring model gets the Honda Sensing safety pack standard, along with auto quit-begin tech, and drivers can coddle themselves with power lumbar and memory adjustment in their 10-way adjustable seats.

At the very prime of the Pilot food chain is the Pilot Elite. This baby’s got a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and illuminated cupholders. In this spec, auto-on LED headlights with auto high-beams light the way, rain-sensing wipers clear the windshield, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-site visitors monitoring checks your perimeter. The driver gets heat in his or her leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the whole household gets treated to HD radio.

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Each Pilot comes in 8 exterior colors—Modern Steel, Lunar Silver, Steel Sapphire, Black Forest, White Diamond, Crystal Black, Obsidian Blue, and Dark Cherry—with a black, gray, or beige interior. Count on the massive-boy crossover to hit the streets this summer, with pricing details to come sometime among now and then.

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

Honda just announced some a lot more specifics about the upcoming 2016 Pilot SUV. No, we nonetheless don’t know the actual price tag, but we do know how you will be capable to choice the 3-row, minivan-primarily based crossover. Let’s take a tour of the scintillating SUV’s 5 trim levels.

At the bottom of the pile is the Pilot LX, the base-model spec that’s hardly a no-content stripper. LX models will get the 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that’s the only motivator across the Pilot line, coupled to a common 6-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available. The base model comes regular with Bluetooth, a 5-inch LCD in the dash, a 200-watt stereo with 7 speakers and a sub.

Next in line is the Pilot EX, packing remote commence, a 10-way energy driver’s seat, and a bigger 8-inch touchscreen with SirusXM and Pandora. The EX gets Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management program with 2 modes for FWD models (Standard and Snow) or 4 modes with AWD (Regular, Mud, Sand, Snow). The EX also gives the optional Honda Sensing security package that combines Collision Mitigation Braking Program, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and adaptive cruise control.

A single further rung up is the Pilot EX-L, which gussies things up with a leather interior, a power moonroof, a energy tailgate, a single-touch energy-folding second-row seats, 4-way power passenger seat, and heated front seats. With the step up to the EX-L, you also get GPS with voice recognition and reside traffic updates, as effectively as an offered rear-seat entertainment program and fancy acoustic glass on the windshield.

This is exactly where issues get fancy. Bootstrap oneself up to the Pilot Touring, and you will increase your forward gears by 50 percent—this trim level comes with Honda’s 1st 9-speed automatic, such as paddle shifters (God knows why). Ditch those plebeian 18-inch wheels for self-respecting 20s, a Blu-Ray-capable rear-seat entertainment method, blue ambient interior lighting, a 540-watt stereo, and body-colour mirrors. The Touring model gets the Honda Sensing safety pack normal, along with auto quit-start tech, and drivers can coddle themselves with energy lumbar and memory adjustment in their 10-way adjustable seats.

At the really top of the Pilot food chain is the Pilot Elite. This baby’s got a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and illuminated cupholders. In this spec, auto-on LED headlights with auto higher-beams light the way, rain-sensing wipers clear the windshield, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-site visitors monitoring checks your perimeter. The driver gets heat in his or her leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the complete family members gets treated to HD radio.

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Every single Pilot comes in 8 exterior colors—Modern Steel, Lunar Silver, Steel Sapphire, Black Forest, White Diamond, Crystal Black, Obsidian Blue, and Dark Cherry—with a black, gray, or beige interior. Expect the big-boy crossover to hit the streets this summer time, with pricing specifics to come sometime amongst now and then.

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

Honda just announced some much more specifics about the upcoming 2016 Pilot SUV. No, we nevertheless do not know the actual cost, but we do know how you will be able to choice the 3-row, minivan-primarily based crossover. Let’s take a tour of the scintillating SUV’s 5 trim levels.

At the bottom of the pile is the Pilot LX, the base-model spec that is hardly a no-content stripper. LX models will get the 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that is the only motivator across the Pilot line, coupled to a common 6-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is accessible. The base model comes common with Bluetooth, a 5-inch LCD in the dash, a 200-watt stereo with 7 speakers and a sub.

Subsequent in line is the Pilot EX, packing remote commence, a 10-way power driver’s seat, and a bigger 8-inch touchscreen with SirusXM and Pandora. The EX gets Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system with 2 modes for FWD models (Standard and Snow) or 4 modes with AWD (Regular, Mud, Sand, Snow). The EX also offers the optional Honda Sensing safety package that combines Collision Mitigation Braking Program, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Maintaining Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and adaptive cruise handle.

A single additional rung up is the Pilot EX-L, which gussies factors up with a leather interior, a energy moonroof, a energy tailgate, a single-touch energy-folding second-row seats, 4-way power passenger seat, and heated front seats. With the step up to the EX-L, you also get GPS with voice recognition and reside visitors updates, as effectively as an available rear-seat entertainment method and fancy acoustic glass on the windshield.

This is exactly where factors get fancy. Bootstrap yourself up to the Pilot Touring, and you will improve your forward gears by 50 percent—this trim level comes with Honda’s first 9-speed automatic, including paddle shifters (God knows why). Ditch these plebeian 18-inch wheels for self-respecting 20s, a Blu-Ray-capable rear-seat entertainment program, blue ambient interior lighting, a 540-watt stereo, and physique-colour mirrors. The Touring model gets the Honda Sensing security pack standard, along with auto cease-start tech, and drivers can coddle themselves with power lumbar and memory adjustment in their 10-way adjustable seats.

At the quite leading of the Pilot food chain is the Pilot Elite. This baby’s got a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and illuminated cupholders. In this spec, auto-on LED headlights with auto high-beams light the way, rain-sensing wipers clear the windshield, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-targeted traffic monitoring checks your perimeter. The driver gets heat in his or her leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the whole household gets treated to HD radio.

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Each Pilot comes in 8 exterior colors—Modern Steel, Lunar Silver, Steel Sapphire, Black Forest, White Diamond, Crystal Black, Obsidian Blue, and Dark Cherry—with a black, gray, or beige interior. Expect the massive-boy crossover to hit the streets this summer, with pricing information to come sometime among now and then.

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

Honda just announced some far more information about the upcoming 2016 Pilot SUV. No, we nevertheless don’t know the actual value, but we do know how you’ll be able to choice the 3-row, minivan-based crossover. Let’s take a tour of the scintillating SUV’s 5 trim levels.

At the bottom of the pile is the Pilot LX, the base-model spec that’s hardly a no-content stripper. LX models will get the 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that’s the only motivator across the Pilot line, coupled to a standard 6-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is accessible. The base model comes regular with Bluetooth, a 5-inch LCD in the dash, a 200-watt stereo with 7 speakers and a sub.

Next in line is the Pilot EX, packing remote start, a 10-way energy driver’s seat, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen with SirusXM and Pandora. The EX gets Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management system with 2 modes for FWD models (Regular and Snow) or 4 modes with AWD (Typical, Mud, Sand, Snow). The EX also delivers the optional Honda Sensing safety package that combines Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Maintaining Help, Lane Departure Warning, and adaptive cruise handle.

One further rung up is the Pilot EX-L, which gussies things up with a leather interior, a energy moonroof, a power tailgate, a single-touch energy-folding second-row seats, 4-way power passenger seat, and heated front seats. With the step up to the EX-L, you also get GPS with voice recognition and live site visitors updates, as well as an obtainable rear-seat entertainment system and fancy acoustic glass on the windshield.

This is exactly where issues get fancy. Bootstrap oneself up to the Pilot Touring, and you’ll boost your forward gears by 50 percent—this trim level comes with Honda’s first 9-speed automatic, which includes paddle shifters (God knows why). Ditch these plebeian 18-inch wheels for self-respecting 20s, a Blu-Ray-capable rear-seat entertainment system, blue ambient interior lighting, a 540-watt stereo, and physique-colour mirrors. The Touring model gets the Honda Sensing safety pack normal, along with auto quit-start off tech, and drivers can coddle themselves with energy lumbar and memory adjustment in their 10-way adjustable seats.

At the very best of the Pilot food chain is the Pilot Elite. This baby’s got a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and illuminated cupholders. In this spec, auto-on LED headlights with auto high-beams light the way, rain-sensing wipers clear the windshield, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-targeted traffic monitoring checks your perimeter. The driver gets heat in his or her leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the whole family members gets treated to HD radio.

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Every Pilot comes in 8 exterior colors—Modern Steel, Lunar Silver, Steel Sapphire, Black Forest, White Diamond, Crystal Black, Obsidian Blue, and Dark Cherry—with a black, gray, or beige interior. Expect the huge-boy crossover to hit the streets this summer time, with pricing details to come sometime between now and then.

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

Honda just announced some a lot more information about the upcoming 2016 Pilot SUV. No, we nevertheless do not know the actual cost, but we do know how you will be capable to alternative the 3-row, minivan-primarily based crossover. Let’s take a tour of the scintillating SUV’s 5 trim levels.

At the bottom of the pile is the Pilot LX, the base-model spec that’s hardly a no-content stripper. LX models will get the 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 with 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque that’s the only motivator across the Pilot line, coupled to a common 6-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is obtainable. The base model comes normal with Bluetooth, a 5-inch LCD in the dash, a 200-watt stereo with 7 speakers and a sub.

Next in line is the Pilot EX, packing remote commence, a 10-way energy driver’s seat, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen with SirusXM and Pandora. The EX gets Honda’s Intelligent Traction Management method with 2 modes for FWD models (Regular and Snow) or 4 modes with AWD (Standard, Mud, Sand, Snow). The EX also provides the optional Honda Sensing security package that combines Collision Mitigation Braking Method, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Maintaining Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and adaptive cruise handle.

1 further rung up is the Pilot EX-L, which gussies items up with a leather interior, a power moonroof, a power tailgate, one particular-touch energy-folding second-row seats, 4-way power passenger seat, and heated front seats. With the step up to the EX-L, you also get GPS with voice recognition and reside site visitors updates, as effectively as an accessible rear-seat entertainment program and fancy acoustic glass on the windshield.

This is where items get fancy. Bootstrap yourself up to the Pilot Touring, and you will enhance your forward gears by 50 percent—this trim level comes with Honda’s initial 9-speed automatic, such as paddle shifters (God knows why). Ditch these plebeian 18-inch wheels for self-respecting 20s, a Blu-Ray-capable rear-seat entertainment program, blue ambient interior lighting, a 540-watt stereo, and physique-colour mirrors. The Touring model gets the Honda Sensing security pack common, along with auto quit-begin tech, and drivers can coddle themselves with power lumbar and memory adjustment in their 10-way adjustable seats.

At the extremely prime of the Pilot meals chain is the Pilot Elite. This baby’s got a panoramic roof, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and illuminated cupholders. In this spec, auto-on LED headlights with auto higher-beams light the way, rain-sensing wipers clear the windshield, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-site visitors monitoring checks your perimeter. The driver gets heat in his or her leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the entire family members gets treated to HD radio.

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Every Pilot comes in 8 exterior colors—Modern Steel, Lunar Silver, Steel Sapphire, Black Forest, White Diamond, Crystal Black, Obsidian Blue, and Dark Cherry—with a black, gray, or beige interior. Expect the large-boy crossover to hit the streets this summer, with pricing specifics to come sometime among now and then.

2016 Honda Pilot Trim Levels Revealed

2016 Chevrolet Spark Revealed: GM Lights a Fire Beneath its Tiny Hatchback – Official Photographs and Information

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2016 Lexus RX Revealed! More Energy and Presence, Familiar Ethos

The Lexus RX pioneered the luxury-crossover segment when it debuted in the late 1990s as the RX300, and the model has been a pillar of the Lexus brand ever because. It remains the bestselling Lexus model today. The organization shifted 107,000 units final year, putting the RX properly ahead of the runner-up ES sedan, of which it sold 72K. So while Lexus would like the RX to shake its somnambulant image, it is loathe to move it also far off the beam.

The just-unveiled 2016 redesign shows that inherent conflict. Chief engineer Takayuki Katsuda expressed it thusly: “Our ambition has been to make a bold and entirely new statement . . . [while] staying correct to the pioneering values of earlier RX generations.”

Bold and New, or Staying Accurate?

The new RX adopts the brand’s aggressive—which is not to say “beautiful”—new design and style language, with L-shaped lighting elements and a giant, spindle grille. The “floating” roof created by the blacked-out C-pillar is a new twist—unfortunately for Lexus, it’s one that is also seen on the new Nissan Murano. Dimensionally, the car has grown almost 5 inches in length, although the wheelbase has been stretched by some 2 inches width and height are within a fraction of their preceding figures. The added length final results in enhanced rear-seat space, but Lexus has opted not to wedge in a third row of seats.

Beneath the tortured sheetmetal, Lexus engineers managed to wring extra output from familiar mechanicals. Electing to sit out the trend toward engine downsizing and forced induction, they are once more serving up a 3.5-liter V-6, only now with 300-ish horsepower (final figures are not in) instead of 270. An 8-speed automatic, formerly exclusive to the F Sport, replaces the 6-speed unit in other RX350 models. Again, buyers can decide on to have the front wheels or all 4 wheels do the driving. Naturally, the RX450 hybrid returns, with an Atkinson-cycle version of the 3.5-liter. Functioning with its electric motors, it, as well, claims an output of about 300 horsepower, up from 245. Lexus claims to have enhanced handling although preserving the vehicle’s cushy ride. To that finish, an adaptive suspension is newly obtainable.

F Comes Right after M—Way Right after

The AWD-only F Sport gives no extra output but does include active anti-roll bars, 20-inch wheels, and steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. Its adaptive suspension adds a stiffer driving mode referred to as Sport S+. Largely, although, the F Sport’s nature is conveyed by its visuals, which tends to make it a far cry from the overall performance SUVs supplied by BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even Audi.

The new security tech is likely to be of greater resonance to RX buyers. Joining the earlier precollision warning technique and blind-spot warning are lane-departure warning, lane-hold assist, and rear cross-targeted traffic alert. A new panoramic-view monitor additional aids maneuvering, and adaptive high beams aid illuminate twisty roads, even though a giant moonroof lets rear-seat passengers gaze at the stars.

We anticipate the RX will continue to be the star of the Lexus lineup. We’ll see after we drive the 2016 iteration no matter whether the brand made a bold adequate move with this redesign, or no matter whether it dangers getting outshined by the expanding field of competitors.

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2016 Lexus RX Revealed! More Energy and Presence, Familiar Ethos

Revealed! 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: They’re Critical This Time

The final-generation Chevy Malibu hybrid was sort of an also-ran amongst H-labeled sedans: Greatest characterized as a “mild” hybrid method, the getup netted EPA ratings of just 26 mpg city and 34 highway. Not specifically a Prius fighter. But for 2016, as component of a complete Malibu redesign, Chevrolet ultimately saw fit to give the hybrid variant a gas-electric drivetrain to be taken seriously.

The new Malibu Hybrid draws on the lessons that Chevy discovered in generating the upcoming second-generation Volt plug-in hybrid. The new ’Bu can whisper along on electric-only power—something the final-generation automobile was incapable of—at speeds up to 55 mph. At time of writing, Chevrolet was not capable to provide exact estimates for electric-only variety or EPA-verified fuel economy, but the organization says it expects a combined fuel-economy rating exceeding 45 mpg.

Component of that newfound thriftiness comes from the new hybrid drivetrain. The petrol-powered half is an all-new 1.8-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, a direct-injected unit that is larger and far more muscular than the 1.5-liter discovered in the 2016 Chevy Volt. The 1.8-liter is teamed with a 2-motor electric drivetrain that is largely related to the new Volt’s.

With both the gasoline engine and the electric motors working in concert, the drivetrain puts out a total of 182 horsepower. When it’s time to hit the whoa pedal on all these ponies, a Volt-derived regenerative braking system recharges the 80-cell, 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack stowed beneath the trunk floor.

The Malibu hybrid also functions a nifty Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery technique, scavenging thermal energy from the gas engine’s exhaust system to heat the cabin and speed engine warm-up in cold weather. Active grille shutters (which are also found on LS and LT nonhybrid models) and a slightly lowered ride height additional help fuel efficiency.

So, too, does the new car’s weight loss. Chevy says the 2016 Malibu is much more than 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing model. This is in spite of increasing in length, which sees the Malibu add some much-necessary rear legroom.

With the Volt-derived drivetrain, Chevy hopes to ideal the hybrid variants of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata. The bogey to beat, nonetheless, is the Honda Accord hybrid, which tops the segment with an EPA combined rating of 47 mpg. We’ll have to wait on official word from the EPA—as properly as our own driving experience—before we take Chevy at its word on the “combined rating north of 45 mpg” claim. When the car goes on sale in the 4th quarter of this year, the challenge then for Chevrolet will be to get people to believe “Malibu” when they’re pondering “hybrid.”

Revealed! 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: They’re Critical This Time

2016 Jaguar XF Revealed! Less Weight, A lot more Tech

With its redesign for 2016, the Jaguar XF follows the complete-size XJ and the new XE into the property of aluminum. In addition to the attendant weight loss, the new XF also sees a significant increase in its tech offerings, while its engine lineup is sharply decreased.

The switch from an all-steel structure sees the mid-size luxury-sport sedan, which very first created its debut for the 2009 model year, shed considerable mass. Jaguar is quoting a 132-pound weight loss for the rear-wheel-drive model and an impressive 265-pound cut for the all-wheel-drive version. Helping matters is the truth that the automobile has not grown any bigger. The overall package size is retained, but the car’s wheelbase grows by 2 inches. The wheelbase stretch yields a lot more rear-seat space, a welcome improvement. Nevertheless, Jaguar is claiming bumps of significantly less than an inch in rear-seat knee- and legroom, which is significantly less than we may possibly have hoped.

The new styling is largely evolutionary, not surprising offered that the preceding car ushered in Jaguar’s existing style language. Although the whole automobile is new, the most noticeably fresh elements may possibly be the headlights (accessible as complete LEDs), the taillights (which take their cue from the F-type’s), and the elongated greenhouse that now involves quarter-windows in the C-pillars.

Will That Be a V-6, or a V-6?

The dramatically shrunken engine lineup is lowered to just 2 versions of the 3.-liter supercharged V-6. This is the exact same 3.-liter supercharged V-6 as just before, producing an identical 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. It is joined by a new, 380-hp version of the engine in the XF S, but that iteration also produces 332 lb-ft. Both versions of the V-6 use an 8-speed automatic—with gear choice by Jaguar’s dial shifter—and can be had with rear- or all-wheel drive. Jaguar predicts a 5.1-second zero-to-60-mph time for each the AWD XF and the RWD XF S, with the AWD XF S finishing a single-tenth quicker than that and the RWD XF one particular-tenth behind.

With entry-level-sedan duties now handled by the new XE, the Ford-sourced 2.-liter turbocharged 4 does not return (and we can’t say that we’ll miss it). Nor does the 5.-liter supercharged V-8, which in the outgoing vehicle was great for between 470 and 550 horsepower (the latter in the ultra-limited-edition XFR-S). The subsequent engine to join the lineup for the new XF will be a 2.-liter turbo-diesel, component of JLR’s new Ingenium family of engines. It promises highway fuel economy of about 40 mpg but won’t come onstream till about 6 months soon after launch.

As on AWD versions of the F-type, the setup here can brake an inside wheel to boost cornering. Both the common dampers and the optional adaptive dampers have been retuned. When paired with all-wheel drive, the latter includes what Jaguar calls Adaptive Surface Response, which functions as a self-actuating winter mode when slippery road conditions are detected. The active dampers—along with the steering effort, throttle sensitivity, and transmission shift mapping—also can be configured by means of 3 driver-selectable modes.

Virtually Like a Trip to CES

The new XF also pours on the tech elsewhere. New systems and functions incorporate a head-up show, forward-collision warning with automated braking, lane-maintaining help (enabling brief bouts of hands-cost-free driving), adaptive cruise handle that can automatically creep along in stop-and-go visitors, a driver-drowsiness monitor, and semiautomated parking (parallel and perpendicular). A function known as Intelligent Speed Limiter, which can read speed-limit signs and automatically adjust the cruise control to maintain the auto specifically at the speed limit, sounds like a bit of a killjoy to us.

The far better news is that Jaguar’s slow-acting, considerably-loathed touch-screen interface has been junked in favor of a new, bigger unit with the grandiose name InControl Touch Pro. Debuting on the new XF, it features a 10.2-inch screen, boasts more rapidly-acting strong-state drive (SSD) map storage, a quad-core processor, and net-primarily based functions. The hardware should hopefully address the major problem we had with the lesser InControl system in the course of our drive of the XE, namely slow responses. Above the XF’s standard InControl Touch system, Pro adds the bigger screen an interactive, 360-degree view of nav-technique destinations widgets that can supply a shortcut to favorite attributes and dead-reckoning functionality that can pinpoint the car’s position when a GPS signal is unavailable.

Although we hope the new program functions properly, we expect that the new XF will be more rewarding for those drivers who can direct their interest away from the screen. Even at 6 years old, the outgoing XF is one particular of the ideal-driving automobiles in the segment, so we have higher hopes for this new version.

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2016 Jaguar XF Revealed! Less Weight, A lot more Tech

Lincoln Continental Concept Revealed! (It is Already Headed for Production)

Take a Ford Taurus, rub it sparingly with the sad ham of luxury appliqué, and you get the Lincoln MKS. In reality, there may not have been a automobile more cynical in Ford’s repertoire given that post-Malaise downsizing of the 1980s. Finally, Lincoln has decided to erase this blight upon its name, and if the new Continental idea car is not the blocky, presidential pomp machine the fashionably tattooed were hoping for, it is undoubtedly a step away from the baleen-waterfall-stache visual grammar Lincoln has been selling of late.

Officially, the Continental is a notion. But you will see a production version next year. Our sources suggest that the new Conti will not ride on the MKS/Taurus platform, which is also shared with the Lincoln MKT and Ford Flex, but rather on an enlarged version of the CD4 platform, which underpins the Fusion and MKZ.

Ford is playing coy with regards to the concept’s powertrain specifics beyond the reality that it makes use of a 3.-liter EcoBoost V-6, a slightly enlarged variant of the 2.7 Nano. However, we hear that the 2.7 would be a base engine, at least here in the United States. China would likely get an even smaller sized 4-cylinder option. The thrilling bit is that the Continental is rumored to use the very same trick all-wheel-drive system employed in the new Ford Concentrate RS.

We presume the emphasis is on certain-footedness rather than out-and-out stoplight drags or gymkhana-fied acrobatics. Throughout the car’s unveiling at a preview in New York, FoMoCo honcho Mark Fields and Lincoln chief Kumar Galhotra repeated Lincoln’s “quiet luxury” mantra ad infinitum. So considerably so that we identified ourselves lulled into an alpha state by the sense memory of Matthew McConaughey’s laid-back twang. It is all just sounds, man. It is not even like . . . words.

One look at the back seat affirms this. Tap the underside of the chromed handle sticking out of the windowsill and the door pops open. It is a big honking door. It is a Maybach-ian, Chinese-energy-broker-grade door. The sunroof is electrochromatic—changing from opaque to clear at the press of a button—and Ford has taken out 50 patents on the seats in this point. The seats function 30-way adjustment, and a single of the joys is an outer side bolster that deflates to aid ingress and egress. Also, we want a girlfriend produced of the plush, plush carpet. Or at least a cat—a cat would almost certainly be a lot more acceptable. The complete interior therapy, resplendent in dark blue and chrome, suggests the glory of the jet age without having getting slavishly retro. We dare Lincoln not to dumb it down any much more than is necessary to pass crash standards for production, since it is as good as anything south of $ 200,000.

The exterior has its moments. In profile, it’s somewhat Mulsanne/Phantom-esque. From the rear, it’s aces. We specifically like the quad exhaust with asymmetrical outer guidelines. The front finish screams Jag-ura, with its RLX-style headlamps and XE/XJ-mimicking grille. Even though it’s a far better appear than the prior remedy, it is a lot more Euro-Japanese derivative than we’d like to see from an American brand. We do, even so, really like the peaked hood. The headlamps, by the way, are of the matrix-LED style that Audi can’t sell to us maybe an American organization futzing with the tech can lastly get it legalized.

All in all, the new Continental comes off as a slightly mixed bag. That is an improvement more than the MKS, which was not the sort of bag that James Brown would ever have been pleased to own brand-new. But this Continental? He may well just have liked this.

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Lincoln Continental Concept Revealed! (It is Already Headed for Production)

2016 Infiniti QX50 Revealed: Stretched for China, Now Coming to America

In answer to the obvious query about the Infiniti QX50, yes, they still make it. Formerly recognized as the EX35, it was genuinely 1 of the initial luxury crossovers—it debuted back in 2008—but regardless of the soaring popularity of the category, the EX35-cum-QX50 has been all but invisible on American roads. Maybe the QX50 is as well much of a hatchback and not adequate of an SUV. Or maybe the anemic sales (which are bouncing along at around 200 units per month) are due to the QX50’s cramped rear quarters.

Infiniti should be hoping it is the latter, because it is adding 3.2 inches to the wheelbase of the QX50. Truly, the surgery has already been done—on the Chinese-marketplace version, which has been out for the past 6 months or so. The new, longer QX will not arrive here until this fall, as a 2016 model.

The wheelbase stretch adds a claimed 4 inches of further rear legroom and a bit much more cargo space, as nicely. Interestingly, it has tiny evident have an effect on on the car’s styling, which seems hardly changed from the current model.

Nor are any substantial mechanical alterations element of the 2016 update. Which indicates the exact same 325-hp 3.7-liter V-6 and 6-speed automatic ought to continue, with a decision of rear- or 4-wheel drive.

In the absence of any other modifications, will the further inches be adequate to raise this model’s stature? Frankly, that seems like a fairly tall order.

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2016 Infiniti QX50 Revealed: Stretched for China, Now Coming to America

2016 Infiniti QX50 Revealed: Stretched for China, Now Coming to America

In answer to the clear question about the Infiniti QX50, yes, they nevertheless make it. Formerly identified as the EX35, it was genuinely one particular of the very first luxury crossovers—it debuted back in 2008—but in spite of the soaring reputation of the category, the EX35-cum-QX50 has been all but invisible on American roads. Perhaps the QX50 is also significantly of a hatchback and not sufficient of an SUV. Or possibly the anemic sales (which are bouncing along at about 200 units per month) are due to the QX50’s cramped rear quarters.

Infiniti should be hoping it’s the latter, simply because it is adding 3.2 inches to the wheelbase of the QX50. Truly, the surgery has currently been done—on the Chinese-industry version, which has been out for the previous 6 months or so. The new, longer QX will not arrive right here until this fall, as a 2016 model.

The wheelbase stretch adds a claimed 4 inches of extra rear legroom, and a bit more cargo space as properly. Interestingly, it has small evident influence on the car’s styling, which appears hardly changed from the present model.

Nor are any significant mechanical alterations as component of the 2016 update. Which implies the identical, 325-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 and 6-speed automatic must continue, with a decision of rear-or 4-wheel drive.

In the absence of any other modifications, will the further inches be sufficient to raise this model’s stature? Frankly, that appears like a quite tall order.

View Pictures View Pictures

2016 Infiniti QX50 Revealed: Stretched for China, Now Coming to America