Monthly Archives June 2014

Audi USA just released its 2015 model year A8 pricing, along with some engine specifications.

The pricing of different trims:

• 2015 Audi A8 3.0T: $77,400
• 2015 Audi A8 L 3.0T: $81,400
• 2015 Audi A8 L TDI: $85,100
• 2015 Audi A8 4.0T: $86,400
• 2015 Audi A8 L 4.0T: $90,400
• 2015 Audi S8 4.0T: $114,900
• 2015 Audi A8 L W12: $137,900

Audi also made some upgrades to the 4.0L gasoline V8, and the 3.0L diesel V6 engines. The output of the 4.0L V8 will be 441hp (up from 2014’s 420hp); the 3.0 diesel engine will has 258hp (up from 240hp).

Along with the mechanical changes, the 2015 A8 also gets a new front bumper, revised hood, new style grille and new shape of LED headlight...

Today Cadillac released detail information for the 2015 ATS sedan and coupe

The most noticeable change in the sedan’s exterior is the new Cadillac logo (without the olive branches) in the front grille, as we have reported a month ago.

Another big news is the upgrade to the 2.0L turbo engine, which torque output is raised to 295 lb-ft, an increase of 14% compared to the 2014 model. The 2.0L turbo engine is available on both the sedan and coupe trim.

Other changes including various new electronic features (WiFi hotspot, enhanced CUE, text message alerts and Teen Driver features etc), and also the DockSpot wireless cellphone charging functionality from Powermat.

For more in...

Today IIHS released its crash test result for the 2015 VW GTI and Golf (they are essentially based on the same platform and share the same frame structure). They got “Good” result for all testing categories, which earns them the Top Safety Pick Plus rating.

The highlights of the result are in the small overlap front test and also the side impact test. For the small overlap test, unlike some cars that use the “trick” to slide over the test barrier, avoiding a direct impact to the car body to get a good result, the 2015 VW GTI directly hit the barrier...

We always hear the idea of leasing cars, or maybe you are already leasing a car at this moment. There are also debates whether leasing or purchasing saves you more money. There is no absolute answer for this question because the final cost depends heavily on your income/expense/tax situations, therefore it is case by case.

In US, since you do not own the title of the leased car (the leasing company that owns the tile), this is classified as an operating lease...

The facelifted 2015 model year RS7 is the same as the current 2014 one, mechanically speaking, which carries the same turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine, with 560 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Transmission will be the ZF-sourced 8-speed unit, sending power via Audi’s Quattro AWD system.

The major difference is in its exterior, with a new angular shape of front LED headlight housing unit, new radiator grille and new bumper.

The 2015 RS7 will be on sale in this autumn. US price will be announced when the sale date is approaching.