Who Is More Upscale: Mercedes, BMW and Audi

When people are thinking about buying a German luxury car which costs less than $100,000, undoubtedly the three major brands are “MBA”: Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi.

Mercedes_BMW_Audi

Some folks consider these three brands to be equally reputable with similar brand image; while at the same time, fans of each brand may want to debate their beloved brand is more upscale than the others.

Here in this article I will provide some insights. One assumption that most people are agree on: the product line’s price range distribution determines the brand’s market position...

Read More

Tesla Is Going to Build Cars in China

Recently during an interview with Chinese media, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, said Tesla is going to set up a assembling plant in China within the next 3 years.

Tesla_Assembly_Line

In the interview, Musk expressed Tesla’s strong intention to operate and compete in the Chinese EV market, and open design/manufacturing centers within China mainland. According to Musk, the reason why Tesla not doing this right now, is because Tesla’s Fremont, California factory has not reached its full production capacity yet.

At this moment we do not know how Tesla will proceed with this plan: forming a joint venture with the Chinese government, or cove...

Read More

Mid-Cycle Updated 2016 Lexus ES Teaser Image Released

The current generation of the Lexus ES has been around 3 years, therefore it is due for a mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 model year. Today Lexus has released the following teaser image, showing what the headlight/grille will be like on updated ES.

2016_Lexus_ES_Teaser

From the image we can see the updated headlight section will have the same styling as some recent new Lexus models, such as the IS, NX, RC, and also the 2016 RX.

The official unveil will be in the 2015 Shanghai auto show, starting from April 20.

 

Read More

Breaking: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLS500 Will Come with 4.0T V8

If you have been following our articles, you may have already seen the newest V8 engine from Mercedes-Benz: the M177/178 with 4.0L displacement and twin-turbochargers, which currently is only available on the AMG models (the AMG GT and also the W205 C63 AMG). However, Mercedes-Benz has decided to gradually phase out the aging M278 4.7L turbo V8 with this new M177/178 V8, and the first non-AMG model that receives this treatment is the 2016 GLS500 (not sold in US).

2013_Mercedes-Benz_GL500_1

According to Mercedes-Benz, the 2016 model year GLS500 (the previous GL500) will use a detuned version of the M177 engine, which output is rated at 421 ps and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque, mated to the 7-speed a...

Read More

2016 Volvo S60L Plug-in Hybrid Sales Will Start on April 22

Today Volvo announced that the S60L Plug-in Hybrid sedan will be officially on sale two weeks later (04/22). Currently this is for the Chinese market only, no plan for the US market at this moment.

Volvo_S60L_Petrol_Plug-in_Hybrid_1

The production version of this new S60 variant will be very similar (if not identical) to the previous S60L PPHEV Concept Car, first shown in the 2014 Beijing Auto Show. Below are highlights of the specification:

– 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine (front wheels), 238hp and 258 lb-ft of torque
– Electric motor (rear wheels): 68hp and 148 lb-ft of torque
– Gasoline engine mated to the Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission
– 0-100 km/h time: 5.5 seconds
– Charg...

Read More