Hi All: A quick addition from the Mazda presentation including a few more details about the all-new Mazda6's 2.5L SKYACTIV-G I4 w/ 2-cyl. deactivation. The outside two cylinders can shut down at speeds between 25 and 50 mph, while all four cylinders work instantaneously when more power is requested. A centrifugal pendulum has been adopted in the torque converter of the 6-speed AT to counterbalance vibration that might otherwise be felt when running on two cylinders. The result is said to be an imperceptible swap between two- and four-cylinder modes. 2018 Mazda6 The Press scrum. Upscale interior and the exterior looks better than ever. Game changing? Not really. With 94 miles of 405 and 5 - the most congested segment of roadway in America - ahead of me, I had to leave the #LAAutoShow a few hours early to avoid the sting of rush hour. I missed the Nissan Star Wars media themed presentation which I am sure is going to kick @$$, the Nissan Kicks intro, and the Hyundai #Kona reveal this afternoon. I was extremely lucky I was able to make it home to catch the Hyundai livestream... We have the full story on this elsewhere which I will add to this weekend. 2018 Hyundai Kona Pic taken in Kona, Hawaii with the Pacific a backdrop! Moving to Nissan, they released an all-new nameplate called the 2018 Nissan Kicks Compact CUV. It will arrive with an updated 125 hp and 115 lb-ft of torque 1.6L I4 mated to the brands wide ratio CVT. Its eye-opening highlight is that it is expected to arrive with an unheard of 33 mpg combined rating! That is more than most compact sedans available today in fact! It sits on a 103.1 in wheelbase while offering a generous 93.9 cu. ft. of passenger volume and 25.3 cu. ft. of cargo volume with the rear seats up. I did not sit in it but like most Nissans, I bet there is more rear seat leg and knee room than its diminutive chassis size indicates. If so, this could be a very respectable CUV consideration compared to most in the segment in which rear seat passenger room is quite literally non-existent. In addition, the Kicks will arrive with a well thought out interior including a 7.0" centrally mounted display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard on the mid SV and high-end SR trims. 2018 Nissan Kicks That is a sharp interior for a presumably low cost first time buyer CUV offering. Thanks for another great show as the 2017/2018 Auto Show season is officially launched in earnest from the heart of LA. 2017 LA Auto Show at the LA Convention Center Wayne
Thank you, Wayne, for sharing your thoughts. Certain other journalists have already given their less positive reviews of the Kicks, due to decreased "fun" compared to the outgoing model. Looks like the right changes were made by Nissan to me.
Hi Bill: Thank you for the kind words. I am a fan of the Nissan Kicks as both the efficiency and size are segment leading. I like the Nissan design language and the KICKS puts it all on display. I posted the VW I.D. CROZZ and I.D. BUZZ concept pics within their respective stories. I did not however post the I.D. Concept which imho would be a beautiful and perfect drop in replacement for the current Golf. It will not be coming to the U.S. despite being a gorgeous concept by every measure... VW I.D. Concept Wayne
Hi All: Finishing this thread up since the 2018 Niro PHEV-26 pricing was recently released... 2018 Kia Niro PHEV-26 MSRP/Premium over Niro HEV Niro PHEV-26 LX - $27,900.00/+ $4,350 Niro PHEV-26 EX - $31,500.00/+ $5,550 Niro PHEV-26 EX Premium - $34,500.00/+ $2,600 <-- Niro Touring Destination and Handling: $940.00 The 2018 Niro PHEV-26 qualifies for a $4,543 Fed tax credit resulting in a slight premium to the EX but a discount for the LX and EX Premium vs. Niro Touring. Options Aurora Black Pearl Paint - $395.00 Snow White Pearl Paint - $395.00 Aluminum Door Scuff Plate: $100.00 Bumper Appliqué: $75.00 Cross Bars: $285.00 Carpet Floor Mats: $135.00 Cargo Net: $50.00 Cargo Cover: $150.00 Mud Guards: $95.00 Paint Protection Package: $200.00 Wheel Locks: $55.00 Wayne
Hi All: Some of my friends at the all-new 2019 Subaru Ascent short lead in Oregon yesterday. Whoops! Wayne
It just has to handle the speed bumps (broader and called tables in some areas...) in the gated communities. Ok, that's probably exaggerating. It will probably be a good "soccer dad" vehicle. Minivans just aren't that cool any more, no offense to those who have them.
Another attraction for the CUVs is the factory blacked out rear passenger windows. e. g. Crosstrek vs. Impreza
