Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2014 i MotorTrend

Expect hybridized, plug-in 700-plus-hp versions of both the Panamera Turbo S and the 911 Turbo S by 2017. The technology will easily and effectively trickle down from the 918 Spyder. We can guess that, if the 156-hp electric motor from the rear of the 918 can fit between the gas engines and PDK transmissions, that total output will be 725-730 hp. You can expect both cars to wear an e-Hybrid badge, and the next-generation Cayenne Turbo S will probably get a hybrid option/e-Hybrid badge, as well. You can also expect to see a PHEV version of the new twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 found in the Panamera S. Also on the way are the Cayenne Coupe (likely badged Cayenne Sport Turismo) and the Panamera Sport Turismo, Porsche’s Audi A7 fighter. Twenty percent…

The Model X crossover has been delayed yet again and is now scheduled to go into production by next spring. Tesla has already begun work on Model X tooling and says prototypes will be ready to go by this fall. Tesla hasn’t recently addressed the brand’s next model, a smaller, more affordable sedan slotted beneath the Model S, but it’s likely that car has been delayed as well, given the company’s history of missing deadlines. We do know, though, that it won’t be called Model E, as a trademark filing had suggested. Tesla has abandoned that moniker, possibly because having the Models S, E, and X in the same lineup could invite crude jokes. Regardless of what it’s called, it’ll start around $30,000 and is expected to provide at least…

Labels don’t make the car. Performance does. The 2015 Porsche Cayman and Boxster GTS arrive with the three-letter moniker first affixed on the Porsche 904 GTS 50 years ago. That car was created to chew up racetracks across Europe, while these cars will gobble up any city street, highway, or weekend track. Porsche adds 15 hp to its 3.4-liter flat-six-cylinder engine for a total of 340 hp for the Cayman GTS and 330 for the Boxster GTS. Torque increases to 280 lb-ft for the Cayman GTS and 273 for the Boxster GTS. A slew of standard features includes Porsche’s Active Suspension Management system, 20-inch wheels, and the Sport Chrono package. Should customers include Porsche’s PDK transmission (they should), the car will feature a launch control that can shed 0.2 second…

President, Volkswagen of America We recently sat down with VW of America president Michael Horn for a glimpse of what we can expect from Wolfsburg, including insight into the next-generation Volkswagen CC’s styling and updates on the Tiguan, GTD, and Sportwagen. The next-gen Volkswagen CC is under development, and we asked Horn if the automaker might opt for styling similar to the Audi A7’s, something we’ve recently seen emulated on models such as the 2015 Hyundai Genesis. Horn confirmed it’s a strong possibility. “Two versions are being studied, and we’re seriously looking at a fastback version as one of them.” The Volkswagen CC made its debut as a sportier and more stylish alternative to the mechanically similar Passat, much the way the Audi A7 is to the A6. Styling might…

Allow me a moment of crankiness and I’m quick to whine about how BMW’s M division has been lost for the better part of the last decade, building cars (SUVs even!) with stupid-quick acceleration and face-twisting grip, but with all the soul of a microwave and the road feel of a panzer. The current M5 and M6 are uninspiring at best, and even the last-generation M3 didn’t put a big, goofy smile on my face until it was howling near its 8400-rpm redline. Unless the E92 was pushed hard, it wasn’t a special, memorable car. Fat Elvis could still sing, but his spirit was broken. That is why BMW’s newest M duo, the M3 sedan and M4 coupe, is such a huge relief. Both cars are damn near brilliant, with…

Way back, near the end of the 1900s, vanity drove moms and dads from the decidedly unradness of station wagons into the newly invented cavernous embrace of the minivan. But around the turn of the century, moms and dads who had grown up in captain’s chairs perched behind sliding doors decided their generation was too Xtreme for minivans and needed something more Xciting. The SUV burst into mainstream America and thrived, becoming the favorite of soccer moms and den-leader dads. That is, until gas prices rose and the realities of driving a glorified work truck set in. The tastes of the inhabitants of the earlier Y2Ks had become more advanced, mature, and realistic. They wanted the usability of the minivan, the economy of a car, and the rugged outdoorsy look…

Part beast and part bulldozer, the 2014 Ram Power Wagon 2500 arrives with a new engine, new suspension, a massive electric winch able to pull 12,000 pounds, and enough attitude to lay claim as the best factory-made, heavy-duty off-roader around. Period. Weighing 6700 pounds and wearing 33-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires, the Power Wagon can crush nearly as many rocks as it can climb over with its incredible power and 14.3 inches of clearance. During testing outside of Sedona, Arizona, the truck’s front and rear electronic locking differentials and solid axles showed off the truck’s incredible capability—never a pause, never a hesitation, just hill-obliterating proficiency. Ram puts the cylinder-deactivating 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 under the hood to generate 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated…

Imagine if everything wrong with a car were suddenly right. I never liked the McLaren 12C’s wildly overboosted steering and brakes, the way it sounded, or the way it looked. You’d drive the 12C, hop out, nod, say something like, “That’s an impressive car,” and then never think about McLaren again. Later that afternoon, you’d be down on one knee asking the not quite-as-capable Ferrari 458 Italia to marry you. I’m happy to report the 650S changes all that. Steering feel is now world-class; braking is, too. The more powerful twin-turbo, flat-plane 3.8-liter V-8 no longer sounds like a dentist’s drill stuck in each ear. With the Spider’s top down, the 641-hp mill sounds even sweeter. While it’s still not a stunner, at least it looks like something—that something being…

“Recently changed long termers. Went from Mercedes GL350 to Nissan Rogue, parking lots are a whole new world #expandinguniverse” @MT_MikeFebbo EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 25/32/28 MPG BASE PRICE $30,280 Price as Tested $32,580 MERRIAM-WEBSTER defines a rogue as a dishonest or worthless person. There are other definitions, none of them much more flattering. Our new long-term Nissan Rogue SL doesn’t strike me as particularly dishonest—quite the opposite, actually. From the outside, it looks like any other small family-hauler that could be used off-road in a pinch, but more than likely will spend the majority of its miles toiling away between yoga studio and soccer field. The inside sparkles with the plainness of usability and the rounded edges of conformity, but it’s a family-hauler, so nothing flashy is needed.…

“ ‘What’s going on?’ Christopher asked. ‘Why are the lights going on and off?’ ‘Sorry!’ I said. ‘Everything’s OK. Go back to bed!’ ” @MT_Reynolds Service life / 7 mo/20,060 mi Avg CO2 / N/A Energy cons / 39 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved problems / none Maintenance cost / $0 Normal-wear cost / $0 Base Price / $94,900 As Tested / $112,350 EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 88/90/89 MPG-E AVERAGE FUEL ECON 86.2 MPG-E I aimed my iPhone’s flashlight at the main circuit breaker once again. Ah, there it is. I put my thumb on the breaker’s stubby black lever and pushed. Snap! The lights in the house popped on for a few seconds—great!…and then quickly off again—frig! The next thing I heard was 8-year-old Christopher inside the house, crying…

“The Coupe gets respect for being different, but I wish the driving dynamics came in a more subdued package.” @carloslago Service Life / 12 mo/18,827 mi Base Price / $25,450 Options / Recaro sport seats ($2750), Premium Package ($1750: chrome interior trim, auto climate control), Tech Package ($1750: keyless starting, harman/kardon audio), Sport Package ($1500: 17-in wheels, HID headlamps, Dynamic Traction Ctrl), Mini Connected with Nav pkg ($750: Smartphone integration, nav with traffic), British Racing Green II ($500), heated mirrors and washer jets ($100) Price as Tested / $34,550 Avg Econ/CO2 / 27.8 mpg/0.70 lb/mi Problem Areas / None Maintenance Cost / $0 Normal-Wear Cost / $0 3-Year Residual Value* $18,657 Recalls None *Automotive Lease Guide EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 26/35/29 MPG AVERAGE FUEL ECON 27.8 MPG It…

When the second-gen Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class debuted, we were smitten. It had the look, it had the power, and it had the presence. Before long, though, the competition surpassed the CLS, and we were left wishing the brutally fast “four-door coupe” had the moves to keep up with the latest from Audi and BMW. Now, our wish might have been answered. The most significant change on the refreshed 2015 CLS-Class is the introduction of an all-new entry-level car, badged CLS400 and carrying the brand’s new twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 good for 329 hp and 354 lb-ft. It will be offered in both rear and all-wheel drive and should ring in at a few thousand dollars lower than the CLS550’s nearly $73,000 starting price. We presume it will be matched to Mercedes’ updated…

Subaru has outlined its plans through 2020 to Automotive News, which include an all-new global platform, a seven-seat SUV, and a plug-in hybrid. The next-gen Impreza will be the first to debut a new global vehicle platform. The new platform will support every model in the automaker’s lineup, and will be engineered with a focus on “safety, maneuverability, and interior space.” The next-gen Impreza will be added to the assembly line at the Lafayette, Indiana, plant, which is currently undergoing a $400-million renovation to increase capacity up to 400,000 units after 2017. The plant currently assembles the Outback, Legacy, Tribeca, and the Toyota Camry, but not for much longer. Camry production will move from Subaru’s Indiana plant to Toyota’s plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, in fall 2016, freeing up about 100,000…

They’re fast. They’re loud. And they glide through bends with an astuteness and enthusiasm that’s outright mesmerizing. Thank Volvo’s closely aligned racing arm and road car performance enhancer, Polestar, for all this. These vehicles are based on their S60 and V60 R-Design counterparts, which, up until now, were the zenith of mass-made Swedish sportiness. For the acquisition of such potency, each received ample modifications by Polestar’s keen engineers. Handling benefits from 15-percent-stiffer front/rear anti-roll bars, a carbon-fiber front strut brace, and, most significant, Polestar-specific Öhlins dampers, Eibach springs, and Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Enormous 14.6-inch front rotors and six-piston Brembos obliterate momentum and barely fit within the 20-inch wheels. The computer systems were honed as well. The traction and stability controls’ leniency, the multifunction wheel’s weightiness, the throttle’s responsiveness, the…

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We at Motor Trend had good things to say about the last Golf. In fact, we’ve had a lot of good things to say about a lot of Golfs. Volkswagen’s popular hatchback has long been an MT favorite, and I’m happy to report VW hasn’t screwed it up for the seventh generation. Not only has the automaker not screwed it up, but it’s been made even better. The first thing you’re going to notice about the new Golf is that it looks more mature than the car it replaces. It’s longer, lower, and wider, which is always a winning combination. It’s got shorter overhangs and a longer hood, giving it a more purposeful stance. By comparison, it makes the old car look tall and a little awkward. The next thing…

Even in their worst months, the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class crush Genesis sales, but that shouldn’t worry Hyundai. The second-generation Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan is no mere refresh, and we’ll be surprised if the car doesn’t continue to slowly nibble away at luxury best-seller sales. Some buyers are happy to pay extra for real leather, heated front seats, and a rearview camera, but when the emotional pull of a respected luxury badge isn’t enough to make a sale, the 2015 Hyundai Genesis is ready to catch the fallout. With the 2015 Genesis, Hyundai has designed a sedan that looks a few inches longer than its predecessor, yet has been stretched just two-tenths of an inch. The Genesis makes the most of that 0.2 inch, though, with a more…

When we commenced the Motor Trend Real MPG program six months ago, we weren’t exactly sure where its path would wind, but we knew we’d eventually wind up here—with a stack of mileage data from 100 cars and trucks in front of us. This is a milestone at which to plot some graphs, rub our chins, and ask ourselves what all we’ve learned. As it turns out, lots. EA’s proprietary, 88-mile driving loop is critical—it captures a rich assortment of real-world driving scenarios. Before presenting our high-octane insights, allow me to run the highlight reel of reasons why we’ve gotten here. Lights, please. For starters, the mileage measurements you see performed by the media are dubious at best. As a group (including us), we’ve attempted just about every cockamamie scheme…

“This winter, I appreciated the ground clearance, 4WD, remote start, and heated seats and steering wheel.” @MT_Markus EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 16/22/18 MPG (GAS) 12/16/13 MPG (E85) BASE PRICE $51,355 Price as Tested $54,585 WHEN WE ANNOUNCED our 2014 Truck of the Year, loyal GM truckers lobbed some epic epithets our way. “Idiots! The Chevy/GMC are way newer and more changed than the Ram—how could you morons possibly do this?!” Well, we’re not here to relitigate that argument, but it seemed the least we could do was invite this exceptionally worthy TOTY runner-up to stay for a year and see how we like it. In fact, we’ll be able to compare things gone right and wrong, costs of ownership, and so forth with those of our TOTY long-term…

“Surprisingly, wind noise from the new racks and bike carrier isn’t too bad. Mileage is still good, too! Time for a new bike!” @nate_martinez Service life / 12 mo/22,377 mi Avg CO2 / 0.76 lb/mi Energy cons / 132 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved problems / None Maintenance cost / $0 (2-oil change; 1-rotate tires, inspection) Normal-wear cost / $0 Base price / $30,820 As tested / $33,220 EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 24/32/27 MPG AVERAGE FUEL ECON 25.5 MPG During our last storm, my Forester was in heaven. I felt like Cool Hand Luke on the 405 freeway. All-wheel drive has that effect. Oh, there’s a gargantuan, newly formed crevice ahead? Yeah, whatever. Tell that to my nearly 9 inches of ground clearance. Watch out for that giant puddle, you…

“I’m pretty easy to please. Fast oil change + free car wash = happy customer. Hey, Mazda USA, your South Bay dealership is doing it right.” @edloh Service life / 10 mo/20,500 mi Avg CO2 / 0.71 lb/mi Energy cons / 123 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved problems / None Maintenance cost / $82.35 (1-oil change, tire rotation, inspection) Normal-wear cost / $0 Base price / $24,240 As-tested / $24,540 EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 25/37/29 MPG AVERAGE FUEL ECON 27.7 MPG As the editor of this fine magazine, I travel a lot. I also live very close to the office, making it difficult for me to accrue a lot of miles in a long-term loan vehicle. To make sure my Mazda6 gets its due, I often loan it out to…

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will anchor itself in London, England, in a bid to avoid upsetting both Auburn Hills, Michigan, and Turin, Italy, any more than necessary. The plan will also allow FCA to reduce its corporate tax bill. The company’s stock will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The finance-focused headquarters will include the CEO’s offices and about 50 employees. SRT The SRT stand-alone brand is dead. It will fold into the Dodge brand whence it came. The future of non-Dodge products such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and Chrysler 300 SRT is in doubt, as neither was mentioned in the product presentation. Dodge Dodge is now FCA’s blue-collar performance brand, not its mainstream everyman brand. Leading the charge is the new Challenger and its long-awaited Hellcat…

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra only recently arrived on the scene, but a lukewarm reception in the face of stiffening competition has caused GM to fast-track updates for the 2015 model year. GM’s executive chief engineer for the pickups, Jeff Luke, told The Detroit News that improvements to boost fuel economy—possibly including a transmission with more than the current six gears—will appear on 2015 models. Also in store are appearance enhancements and new tech, some of which will address fuel economy while other changes will affect capability. The engineering chief didn’t give details on the changes, but more info is expected to be released in the near future ahead of the 2015 trucks’ on-sale date later this year. As we previously reported, GM plans to launch a line…

Full disclosure: My engineering past as an interior packaging guy predisposes me against this whole goofball X6/X4 (and the late, unlamented Acura ZDX) all-road coupe micro-niche. Take a vehicle with functionality and practicality baked into its DNA, and strip it of both in the name of “style?” No thanks. That having been said, the X4 loses less in the coupe-ification process than its predecessors. To wit: Only 5 percent of the X3’s passenger space is sacrificed, while the X6 trimmed the X5’s by 7 percent and the ZDX measured 22 percent smaller inside than its MDX counterpart. The big losers are rear-seat heads and legs, which are cramped by 1.7 and 2.0 inches in the X4. Cargo capacity nosedives to 17.7 and 49.4 cubic feet. That’s poor compared with the…

Squishier armrests. In the grand scheme of things, the single most important selling point of the new, sixth-generation Subaru Legacy might just be its noticeably more comfortable armrests. Great padding abounds, both on the doors and the center armrest. You might be shaking your head and/or laughing at this point, but hear me out. If you’re going to take on King Camry or its heir apparent, Prince Accord, you need to stand out. Remember that Toyota sold nearly as many Camrys last year (408K) as Subaru sold Subarus (425K). For its part, Honda moved nearly 367K Accords. Subaru? Just more than 42,000 Legacys. Hence, the Legacy sports the best armrests this side of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, because it had to do something. Any little chink in the Camry’s armor will…

Toyota’s TRD Pro Series story began two years ago, before it was formally a series. To inject some pizzazz into Toyota’s truck lineup, the full-size Tundra was earmarked as Toyota Racing Development’s first off-road pet project. Then the 4Runner and Tacoma were brought into the mix. It makes sense, as the 4Runner has an adventurous reputation and a more affordable entry price point than the Land Cruiser’s. Forty percent of all Tacomas sold today have TRD packages already. Rumor has it, if all goes well, the TRD Pro ethos could spread to produce on-road enhancements for Toyota’s cars. Pickup truck enthusiasts are known for voicing their ardent support for their brands, and the fireworks fly even more if performance off-roading is involved. (We’ll put it out there right away: There’s…

The Huracan makes a strong first impression. Even amid the gorgeous scenery surrounding the Ascari Race Resort in southern Spain, the beautiful collection of hexagons and hard, angry angles easily commands attention. The design typifies the exuberance expected from a Lamborghini, and, as the replacement for the Gallardo, the best-selling car in the company’s 51-year history, the Huracan needs to do just that. Theater? First, it’s pronounced “whorah-KHAN.” Second, as with the Aventador, turning it on requires flipping a bright-red flap that covers the start button. Press that button and a naturally aspirated screamer erupts: 5.2 liters’ worth of dry-sump V-10 that eagerly spins to 8500 rpm and makes 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. (The 610 part of the car’s name refers to the metric power rating, the…

“It’s impressively refined. It carries a load. It’ll go almost anywhere. The world’s most useful luxury car? Yep.” @Angus_Mac Service life / 6 mo/7704 mi Avg CO2 / 1.24 lb/mi Energy cons / 216 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved problems / None Maintenance cost / $0 Normal-wear cost / $0 Base price / $83,850 As-tested / $89,850 EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 13/19/15 MPG AVERAGE FUEL ECON 15.6 MPG I’ve spent a lot of time in Range Rovers recently, none of them mine. During a week in New York, I was chauffeured around Manhattan in everything from the entry-level model to a fully loaded Autobiography Long Wheelbase. Then I spent a week driving a V8 Supercharged model while the Real MPG team put my car through their detailed fuel consumption test. So…

“The ATS could be my favorite Cadillac. It’s compliant and luxurious, with handling that’s firm and fun.” Service life / 7 mo/8580 mi Avg CO2 / 0.78 lb/mi Energy cons / 136 kW-hr/100 mi Unresolved problems / None Maintenance cost / $0 Normal-wear cost / $0 Base price / $43,020 As tested / $45,860 EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON:21/31/24 MPG AVERAGE FUEL ECON 24.8 MPG The more I drive the Cadillac ATS, the more I like the car. Its luxurious interior has held up well, its ride remains quiet and compliant, and its handling is predictable, firm, and fun. It continues to be a solid performer, averaging over 24 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. Perhaps my biggest complaint with this vehicle has been how much road…

“The Optima really grew on me, and I’m sorry to see it—and its many features—go.” @Emiliana505 Service Life / 15 mo/21,908 mi Base Price / $27,575 Options / Limited Package ($3350: LED DRLs, red brake calipers, nappa leather seats, electronic parking brake), Premium Touring Package ($2950: panoramic sunroof, rear camera display, heated and cooled front seats), Technology Package ($1400: navigation system) Price as Tested / $35,275 Avg Econ/CO2 / 22.8 mpg/ 0.85 lb/mi Problem Areas / None Maintenance Cost / $228.90 (2-oil change, inspection; 1-tire rotation, cabin-air filter, engine-air filter) Normal-Wear Cost / $0 3-Year Residual Value* / $17,638 Recalls / None *Automotive Lease Guide EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON: 22/34/26 MPG AVERAGE FUEL ECON 22.8 MPG I loved the six-way adjustability of the driver’s seat and the tweakable…