listenButton1.onclick = function(){
if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){
responsiveVoice.cancel();
}else{
responsiveVoice.speak(“RusAutoNewsCom. – As announced by the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, Russian car market has decreased by 5.2%, or by 8368 units year-on-year in October 2019, and amounted to 152,057 vehicles. Within the January – October period of this year 1,423,449 cars were sold in total, 34,408 units or 2.4% less then last year\’s figure. Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee commented: \”Total market sales in October underachieved last year\’s result by 5.2%, firmly keeping the market on the path of a slow but continuous erosion of the much-needed volume gains secured in the years 2017-2018. This is not the direction the industry wants or needs, of course, but it is hard to see at the moment where a change to the better should be coming from any time soon\”. Lada was again the most populer brand of the Russian car market in October 2019 with 30,237 units sold. Lada Granta was the most popular model with 11,712 units sold in October. Top 10 best-selling car brands in October: 1-Lada. 2-Kia. 3-Hyundai. 4-Renault. 5-Volkswagen. 6-Skoda. 7-Toyota. 8-GAZ LCV. 9- UAZ. 10-Mercedes-Benz. Top 10 best-selling car models in October: 1-Lada Granta. 2-Kia Rio. 3-Lada Vesta. 4-Hyundai Creta. 5-Volkswagen Polo. 6-Hyundai Solaris. 7-Volkswagen Tiguan. 8-Lada Largus. 9-Renault Duster. 10-Skoda Oktavia A7. All 10 models are manufactured in Russia. Please see the AEB Press-Release for detailed Russian car market figures.”, “UK English Male”);
}
};
RusAutoNewsCom. – As announced by the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, Russian car market has decreased by 5.2%, or by 8368 units year-on-year in October 2019, and amounted to 152,057 vehicles.
Within the January – October period of this year 1,423,449 cars were sold in total, 34,408 units or 2.4% less then last year’s figure.
Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee commented: “Total market sales in October underachieved last year’s result by 5.2%, firmly keeping the market on the path of a slow but continuous erosion of the much-needed volume gains secured in the years 2017-2018. This is not the direction the industry wants or needs, of course, but it is hard to see at the moment where a change to the better should be coming from any time soon”.
Lada was again the most populer brand of the Russian car market in October 2019 with 30,237 units sold. Lada Granta was the most popular model with 11,712 units sold in October.
The 2020 Mazda6 has a starting MSRP just shy of $25,000.
A turbo engine joins the lineup along with new tech features.
Here is what to expect if you are shopping for a new Mazda6.
Mazda, as ever, gives you a lot of bang for your buck. The 2020 Mazda6 is a perfect example. Refined and thoroughly gone over for the new model year, everything has been looked at, from the key fob to the taillights. The 2020 Mazda6 is the Hiroshima company’s flagship midsize sedan. Very attractive on the outside as well as the inside, it packs more than enough tech features and just enough “zoom-zoom” performance to keep a wide swath of sedan buyers interested.
How Much Is The 2020 Mazda6?
It will start at a very reasonable $24,920 after destination. Not that much for a sedan this capable. Here is a handy chart that shows the pricing by trim level.
2020 Mazda 6 Trim Level
MSRP w/ Destination ($920 – Continental U.S.)
Sport
$24,920
Touring
$27,520
Grand Touring
$30,620
Grand Touring Reserve
$33,120
Signature
$36,220
What Engine Does The Mazda6 Have?
Ah yes, the engine room. All 2020 Mazda6 sedans come with G-Vectoring Control Plus, mated to one of two engines. The first is a Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter with 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft. of torque, or a turbo Skyactiv-G 2.5T cranking out a respectable 250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft. of torque. Cylinder-deactivation is standard while the transmission of choice is a Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic. It includes a Sport Mode that recalibrates the gear ratios for more spirited driving.
Related: Considering a pre-owned Mazda6 instead? Our full review of the 2018 model.
2020 Mazda6 Sport
In addition to that turbo engine, the Mazda6 Sport will be of the most interest to us gearheads. It comes standard with the full suite of Mazda’s i-Activsense safety features. The package includes Radar Cruise Control with stop and go function; Advanced Smart City Brake Support with Pedestrian Detection; Smart Brake Support with Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning with Lane-Keep Assist; and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.
On the inside, you’ll get an eight-inch display, six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and two USB ports to charge your stuff. Dual-zone climate control (nice!), push-button start, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an electronic parking brake (boo!) are also included.
The Sport simply has more premium features despite being the entry-level trim. Automatic on/off headlights; High Beam Control; rain-sensing windshield wipers; rearview camera (nice!); seat belt reminder indicator for all passengers; LED headlights with auto-leveling; LED taillights; and some rather nice 17-inch alloy wheels and dual exhaust outlets.
Photo: Mazda North American Operations.
Touring & Grand Touring
The Mazda6 Touring does just what its name implies: loads up on goodies that make longer jaunts less arduous. The Touring has all the stuff in the Sport but upgrades you with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; leatherette-trimmed seats; heated front seats (yay!); and a power moonroof with interior sunshade. 19-inch alloy wheels and another two USB charging ports for the rear seats are also part of the deal.
Next is the Mazda6 Grand Touring. This version comes with larger front ventilated brake discs (always a good idea) and adds a Bose 11-speaker premium stereo with SiriusXM. Toss in the heated mirrors and steering wheel paddle shifters and you’re good to go.
Related: How does the Mazda3 drive? Here is our full review.
Grand Turing Reserve
There’s an even better Touring version, the Mazda6 Grand Touring Reserve. This highway cruiser adds a windshield-projected, head-ups color display; Mazda’s Adaptive Front-lighting system; black or Parchment leather-trimmed seats (classy); ventilated front seats; heated rear seats; and a heated steering wheel.
Beyond that, the Grand Touring Reserve tacks on power folding side mirrors; windshield wiper de-icer; and an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory. Styling gets a bump with bright silver 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a rear lip spoiler.
Mazda6 Signature
At the top of the heap, you’ll find the Mazda6 Signature. Mazda calls this “an aspirational trim level” which made me laugh. Trim levels are now aspiriational? Please no. That said, the Signature really unloads the goodies: gunmetal front grille, new badging, and either Parchment or Deep Chestnut Nappa leather with Japanese Sen wood and UltraSuede accents for the interior.
A 360-degree View Monitor with front and rear parking sensors and a seven-inch TFT reconfigurable display grace the dash along with a navigation system. Said system includes Traffic Sign Recognition and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link subscriptions. The headliner is black, the rearview mirror is frameless, and there are LED ambient lights to compliment the accent stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Conclusion On The Mazda6?
Like I said at the beginning, there’s a lot of good stuff in this sedan, especially with a starting price just shy of $25,000.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Photos, Video & Source: Mazda North American Operations.
The 2020 Mini Cooper SE is a new electrified two-door hardtop.
DC charging provides 80 percent battery life in about 35 minutes.
At just over 180 horsepower, this little Mini should be fun to drive.
Mini will finally be bringing the electrified version of their beloved little hatchback to America. Although not a direct competitor for the more upscale Tesla and Porsche offerings, it should compete rather nicely with cars like the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, and Fiat 500e. The first thing you’ll notice about the 2020 Mini Cooper SE is, well, that it looks just like a Mini. There’s no space-age styling or anything along those lines. Just that classic two box, hatchback style that sort of looks like a toaster on wheels.
What Is the Mini Cooper SE?
The Mini Cooper SE is based on the Mini Hardtop 2 Door from 2014. In terms of dimensions, it has only gotten a bump in height by a scant 18 millimeters (.7 inch, ha!). This is to make room for the floor-mounted battery packs and the new HVAC pump. The heat pump is there to maximize range during colder weather, which everyone in the Midwest will be thankful for.
Despite all of the green stuff and batteries, Mini says unequivocally the Cooper SE is still very much a Mini. Thanks to the low center of gravity and the torquey electric drivetrain, the SE retains the brand’s fun-to-drive personality. Case in point: that electric motor driving the front wheels provides 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft. of torque. 60 mph comes up in 6.9 seconds and top speed is an adequate 93 mph. A nifty two-mode regenerative braking system helps maximize battery life.
2020 Mini Cooper SE. Photo: BMW Group.
How Long Does It Take To Charge?
Yes, yes, you might say, but what about charging? What about all that EV stuff that makes a lot of people nervous? For starters, the Mini Cooper SE comes standard with AC Charging at up to 7.4 kW. That means you can get a 100 percent charge at home in about four hours. If you opt for DC Charging, that’ll flow in at 50 kW and can get you an 80 percent charge in as little as 35 minutes, utilizing the standard SAE Combo fast charging.
You will notice the new “Filler Flap” with LED status indicator for when your Mini Cooper SE is in charge mode. There is also a programmable locking feature as part of the charging scheme that prevents the cord from being unplugged. And get this: when your Mini is all full, it can automatically unlock to allow others needing access to the charger when using public stalls.
The Mini Cooper SE comes with AC Charging at up to 7.4 kW, which allows for a full charge at home in about four hours. Photo: BMW Group.
What Features Does The Mini Cooper SE Have?
The Mini Cooper SE comes standard with a base trim level that is anything but standard or base. There is an array of premium equipment, but also two additional trim levels if you want extra items and features. Inside, you’ll see the Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster which features a digital speedometer and indicators for charge and power levels. Drivers can scroll through data like remaining range and charging/charge levels.
The standard equipment package already includes a 6.5-inch navigation display; Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity; heated front seats, washer jets, and mirrors; keyless entry; automatic climate control; LED headlights and fog lights; and a cool Storage Package. Safety features include Forward Collision Warning, Acoustic Pedestrian Warning, and a Rear View Camera.
Mini Cooper SE interior layout. Photo: BMW Group.
What Does The Mini Cooper SE Cost?
The new Mini Cooper SE will go on sale early March 2020 at dealers across the U.S. for $30,750 (with destination). Federal tax credits and similar state incentives will likely drop that figure significantly. Mini says qualified consumers can get a Cooper SE for as low as $17,900, along with additional incentives such as HOV lane access in some states.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Note: The following story was excerpted from the April 2005 issue of Collectible Automobile magazine By John Biel The story of how Buicks came to be manufactured in Canada—including the very one featured on these pages—starts with one man. Robert Samuel “Sam” McLaughlin, born in 1871, eventually entered the well-regarded family carriage business located in Oshawa, […]
listenButton1.onclick = function(){
if(responsiveVoice.isPlaying()){
responsiveVoice.cancel();
}else{
responsiveVoice.speak(“RusAutoNewsCom.- Lada sales have increased by 1.5% year-on-year within the January-October period of 2019. A total number of 295,437 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles have been sold within the aforementioned period. The market share of the brand is approximately 21%, as reported by Avtovaz press office. 30,237 Ladas have been sold in October 2019, indicating 5,5% year-on-year fall. Granta is the best-selling model with 11,712 units in October (+14.1%) and 108,686 units within ten months (+31,5% year-on-year). In addition, 9,160 Lada LCVs have been sold in October 2019.”, “UK English Male”);
}
};
RusAutoNewsCom.- Lada sales have increased by 1.5% year-on-year within the January-October period of 2019. A total number of 295,437 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles have been sold within the aforementioned period.
The market share of the brand is approximately 21%, as reported by Avtovaz press office.
30,237 Ladas have been sold in October 2019, indicating 5,5% year-on-year fall.
Granta is the best-selling model with 11,712 units in October (+14.1%) and 108,686 units within ten months (+31,5% year-on-year).
In addition, 9,160 Lada LCVs have been sold in October 2019.
The Mustang Lithium is pretty darn powerful. That’s the easiest way to put it. The high-performance pony car prototype is the brainchild of Ford and Webasto, who are using it as a canvas for future battery and thermal management technologies. When it comes to electric vehicles, Ford is pushing on the gas (no pun intended). By 2022, the automaker will invest more than $11.5 billion in EV development. A Mustang-inspired electric SUV is expected to hit the market next year, followed by an all-electric F-150 in a few years.
“Ford has made no secret that we are electrifying our most popular nameplates,” explained Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s Chief Product Development and Purchasing Officer. “This one-off Mustang prototype is a great opportunity for us, together with Webasto, to showcase to our customers what new electrified powertrains can do for performance in a car they already know and love.”
How Much Power Does The Mustang Lithium Have?
Mustang Lithium cranks out over 900 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft. of torque, both of which are available instantaneously. The battery electric pony car features a unique set of drive modes with a specific amount of torque for different driving scenarios. Each mode is controlled via the 10.4-inch touchscreen display inside. The drive modes range from tame and mild to “holy smokes I bet that’s unreal!” Said drive modes are: Valet, Sport, Track, and Beast.
Yes, we too are wondering what all is involved in Beast Mode.
Mustang Lithium features a carbon fiber body, a lower stance (one inch), and 20-inch (staggered) Forgeline wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
How The Mustang Lithium Works
Under the hood is a Phi-Power, dual-core electric motor and dual power inverters. Everything is fed by an 800-volt Webasto battery system with EVDrive Technology that can discharge a mega-watt of energy. Ford and Webasto say the system generates less heat but more electric force than most EVs today. As a point of comparison, 800 volts is twice the voltage of most EVs on the road currently.
“Very similar to Ford’s push for vehicle electrification, this is an innovative way to further the technologies we’re developing to enable vehicle electrification while creating a vision of how cool the future of electric performance will be,” said Mark Denny, North America President and CEO, Webasto Customized Solutions.
Mustang Lithium under the hood. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
The Mustang Lithium Uses a Manual Rower
A drag-strip-spec, Calimer-version of the Getrag MT82 six-speed manual transmission with billet internals handles all that power. The Mustang Lithium also employs Ford Performance half shafts and Super 8.8 Torsen differentials.
Additional features include Ford’s Track Handling Pack and strut tower brace; Brembo six-piston front brakes (from the Shelby GT350R); side splitters and a rear diffuser by Sankuer Composite Technologies; Webasto hood with see-through polycarbonate windows; TurboDX charging solution; and a TurboCord portable charger. In other words, a lot of really cool stuff!
Mustang Lithium interior layout. Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Will The Mustang Lithium Be Available?
Given the specs, the Challenger SRT Demon and any number of exotic and/or hyper cars should be getting nervous, right? Well, maybe not yet. Ford and Webasto say the Mustang Lithium is only a prototype for which to gauge interest in the next generation of EV powertains and performance cars. Consider us interested.
Currently, the 2020 Explorer and Escape hybrid feature Ford’s fourth-generation lithium-ion battery technology. The setup is similar to the Mustang Lithium’s energy storage system. So maybe we will see something similar to this EV pony car in the coming years? We certainly hope so.
The Automoblog staff covers automotive industry news, trends, and technology along with new vehicle releases. Automoblog is owned and operated by Gearhead Media LLC., based in Detroit, Michigan and Berlin, Germany.
Like it does every October, the Mecum Auctions road show rolled in to the Schaumberg Convention Center in Schaumberg, Illinois, late last month. As usual, the Mecum Chicago event boasted its share of big-ticket, six-figure classics—the top seller of this year’s show was a rare Calypso Coral 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 429 (pictured below) that […]
Electrified CR-V Hybrid to join the lineup early next year.
The 2020 Honda CR-V cruises into dealerships with a host of updates for the new model year. Among them, a refreshed exterior, upgraded safety tech, and a new turbo engine for the LX trim. The CR-V is a winner for Honda, with cumulative U.S. sales now topping five million units over the last 22 years. Here is a look at what to expect when shopping for a 2020 Honda CR-V.
How Much Does The 2020 Honda CR-V Cost?
The 2020 CR-V starts at $26,145 for the front-wheel drive LX. The entry-level LX receives the Honda Sensing suite of safety features and a more powerful and efficient turbo engine. This table goes through the rest of the lineup, including EPA ratings.
Model & Drivetrain
MSRP w/ Destination ($1,095)
EPA Ratings (City/Hwy/Combined)
CR-V LX (2WD)
$26,145
28 / 34 / 30
CR-V LX (AWD)
$27,645
27 / 32 / 29
CR-V EX (2WD)
$28,655
28 / 34 / 30
CR-V EX (AWD)
$30,155
27 / 32 / 29
CR-V EX-L (2WD)
$31,145
28 / 34 / 30
CR-V EX-L (AWD)
$32,645
27 / 32 / 29
CR-V Touring (2WD)
$34,345
28 / 34 / 30
CR-V Touring (AWD)
$35,845
27 / 32 / 29
2020 Honda CR-V Touring. Photo: Honda North America.
How Has The Honda CR-V Changed For 2020?
All 2020 CR-Vs receive a redesigned front bumper, headlights, and grille. EX and EX-L have new 18-inch wheels with a dark gray finish, while Touring grades get new 19-inch wheels and tires. Three new exterior colors join the lineup for 2020: Radiant Red Metallic, Sonic Gray Pearl, and Aegean Blue Pearl.
On the inside, the redesigned center console adds more flexible storage and more conveniently-located USB ports. CR-V Touring adds a heated steering wheel and wireless smartphone charging, both of which are nice features. Additional in-vehicle technologies include a color TFT driver information interface; an available seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; and an available satellite-linked navigation system.
2020 Honda CR-V Touring interior layout. Photo: Honda North America.
New Features By Trim Level For 2020
CRV-EX: LED fog lamps, HD radio.
CRV-LX: Honda Sensing, auto high/low beams,1.5-liter engine.
Mechanically, the biggest change to the 2020 CR-V is the 1.5-liter turbo engine across the range. For the LX trim specifically, the new engine replaces the 2.4-liter naturally aspirated plant of the 2019 models. Complete with direct injection, the turbo bumps the new CR-V’s horsepower to 190 and torque to 179 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive is standard, although all-wheel drive is available on every model. In either case, power is sent to the ground via a continuously variable transmission with Honda’s G-Shift control logic.
The 2020 Honda CR-V features a MacPherson front strut and multi-link rear suspension with low-friction dampers. Tubular front and solid rear stabilizer bars promote better handling as does the dual-pinion, variable-ratio electric power steering. Photo: Honda North America.
Availability: Gasoline & Hybrid Models
The conventional CR-V is available now at Honda dealerships across the country. More information on the CR-V Hybrid’s two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain will be available early next year. Production of the CR-V Hybrid for the U.S. market will take place at Honda’s Greensburg, Indiana plant alongside the CR-V and Insight hybrid sedan.
The Automoblog staff covers automotive industry news, trends, and technology along with new vehicle releases. Automoblog is owned and operated by Gearhead Media LLC., based in Detroit, Michigan and Berlin, Germany.
Blade Runner was released in 1982 and landed with a thud. It went nowhere at the box office, and only later picked up steam and a cult following when it was released on VHS. Set in a dystopian, grimy, crowded Los Angeles of 2019 (just last year!) Blade Runner showed us a future of environmental devastation and the slow, inexorable grinding down of humanity, one person at a time, in pursuit of the all-mighty dollar.
Like all great works of art, it raises some essential questions of what makes us human; how does a person maintain their humanity; why do we live and what is the point of this life; and is it okay to fall in love with a robot you’ve been having sex with?
Flying Cars & Blade Runner
Of Blade Runner’s many predictions – genetic engineering, super-scale architecture, and holographic manipulation to name only three – the one we are concerned with here at Automoblog is, of course, flying cars. And, as with most things flying car related, I give this an F grade for its accuracy in terms of a technology prediction. But … there’s some interesting caveats that go along with how they handled flying cars in the world of Blade Runner that make the entire idea potentially much more workable.
For starters, the flying cars, called “spinners,” were designed by the great Syd Mead, visual futurist, industrial designer, automotive designer, and all-around interesting human. He called his flying car an “aerodyne” that worked via an unseen propulsion system. Whatever was contained within the beetle-back of the spinner had enough power to both levitate and motivate it. How was never specified, but that was the basic idea. Director Ridley Scott was bright enough to hire just the right guy to work on his flying car concept.
Rick Deckard’s decommissioned spinner from Blade Runner. The vehicle is based on a 1972 VW Super Beetle. Photo: Kahn Media.
Who Would Be Able To Use Flying Cars?
The other thing Blade Runner got right was who was using them. As far as I can tell (and I’ve seen this movie dozens and dozens of times), there are only two kinds of flying cars in the film. There are spinners that are flying police cars, and there was another model that looked like a private vehicle. The implication here is only the cops or wealthy elite get flying cars.
This greatly simplifies potential problems like overcrowded skies, accreditation of who gets to fly, and things of that nature. If there are only two kinds of people flying around our pollution-choked and congested cities – law enforcement and the rich – then there is an implication of a higher level of responsible use. In theory.
It’s also worth noting the amount of computer control and monitoring seen in the aerial use of a spinner. That would go a long way to mitigating a large number of problems.
Inside Deckard’s spinner from Blade Runner. Photo: Kahn Media.
Are The Flying Cars In Blade Runner Plausible?
Even though I gave the flying spinners in Blade Runner an F grade in terms of plausible technology, it is with those caveats. If there is a way to make flying cars work, we can’t just give them out will-nilly to any swell that desires one. We’d scrap the whole program within months due to fatal, smoking crashes and the inevitable lawsuits.
Related: How close are we to flying cars and do we need them?
To put it another way, practically-speaking, I don’t see flying cars ever coming true. Police don’t need them, they’ve already got helicopters, and the same goes for the filthy rich with private planes. Sure, there are the half-loony innovators and ambitious companies out there still trying to make flying cars happen, but the landscape looks as bleak as the dust-choked desert consuming Las Vegas in the rather well-done follow-up, Blade Runner 2049. (Harrison Ford reprises his role).
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get down to Taffey Lewis’ place. I’ve got him on a line for drinks and I think I’ve got Sean Young’s number here somewhere.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz.
Automobile Updates 