Monthly Archives July 2014

Today news spreads out that, Toyota is planning a big model reorganization for its Scion brand. Following are the details.

Scion xB: replaced by a variant of the Toyota Auris, in 2015.

– Current model:

– Future model:

Scion xD: replaced by a new design based on the Mazda2. Below is the current model. For the new Mazda2 please see this report.

Scion iQ: this model will be discontinued after the 2014 model year.

Scion FR-S: a second generation will debut in early 2017.

Scion tC: will be redesigned in 2016.

There is also a new CUV model based on the Toyota Corolla platform.

Today Ford released the pricing for its newly-redesigned F150 pickup truck, below are details:

F-150 XL: base MSRP $26,615
F-150 XLT: base MSRP $31,890
F-150 Lariat: base MSRP $39,880
F-150 King Ranch: base MSRP $49,460
F-150 Platinum: base MSRP $52,155

One of the biggest change for the new F-150 is its aluminum body construction, which can save up to 700 lbs of weight from the current generation, according to Ford.

Today, Cadillac released two images of the upcoming long-wheel-base ATS sedan, which will be on sale on August 15. Currently the ATS-L is Chinese market-only. At this moment, Cadillac has no plan to bring this model to other markets.

The ATS-L has a 3.35-in longer wheel base than the standard version (with total wheel base = 112.6 in). Two engine options are available, all based on the same GM 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine. The lowered output version has 223 hp, and the high output version is the same as the one we saw for the US market, which has 272 hp. ATS-L buyers can opt for options such as the Brembo brakes and also the manegtic ride control system etc.

On 07/25, Mercedes-Benz announced that the production of the long-wheel-base C class officially starts production in the capital city of China – Bejing, and they have a ceremony to celebrate that.

Mercedes-Benz’s China branch – the Beijing Benz Automotive Company, is formerly the Beijing Jeep Corporation, a joint venture with Chrysler. The corporation is the first foreign automotive company in China.

The LWB C-class is 3.15-in longer in the wheel base, total wheel base is 115 inch. The extended C-class has total length of 187.6-in, and will be on sale in mid-August. Models offered are the C200L and C260L.

Bugatti Veyron

The Veyron is the only product that Bugatti offers at this time, and it is almost 10 years old (the Veyron was debuted back in 2005).

In a media interview, Walter de Silva, VW Group’s design chief mentioned that Bugatti is already working on a new model which will not just replace the current Veyron, but also “redefine the benchmarks”. This new model will be announced in either late 2015 or early 2016.

No further information is available at this moment. If  you haven’t seen our previous article regarding the benefit of hybrid powertrain to sports cars, check it out...