Portland International Auto Show New Car Giveaway!

It's officially been announced, the New Car Giveaway slated for the 2014 Portland International Auto Show in February is going to be the 2014 Mazda 6.

This year the show will take place from February 6th - 9th, 2014 and on Sunday, February 9th at 5:00pm there will be a live New Car Giveaway event at the Oregonian Media Group booth. Last year we entered to win a 2013 VW Beetle; the process was surprisingly easy. We were informed that if we won the car, we'd need to return to Portland and be there in person to accept our winnings. On our 4 hour drive home we were discussing options to pick up our car (call us optimists). All of the discussion was completely unnecessary since this is the guy who won our new car:

It was probably best that way since I doubt the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle will fit three booster seats into the back seat for my kids.  Despite losing the giveaway, this event is one of our favorite car events each year to attend and is well worth the 4 hour trip north. Let's face it, it's not every day you are able to brush shoulders with the Ferrari, Lamborgini, and Bentley. The Luxury Loft allows you an up close and personal look at various luxury vehicles and many supercars.

 

 

Because we travel a lot with our kids to various auto shows, we end up spending a portion of our time seeking family friendly activities at these events. The Kid Zone was a perfect place for the kids to have a little fun of their own and breaks up the day of walking around looking at cars.  The show as a whole is a very family friendly event and the Kid Zone makes it much more so.



 

The Great Outdoors exhibit features every type of outdoor accessory you could possibly need for your Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Jeep Wrangler, or whatever outdoor vehicle you own or plan to purchase at the show.  Another fun activity that was offered at The Great Outdoors exhibit was the remote control off-road vehicle challenge. For a small fee you could attempt to get your remote control car thru the mountainous terrain and to the end while remaining upright....much more challenging than one would think (and much more so if you have a 4 year old tugging on the controller for his turn).

Besides the various activities and giveaway there are the cars.  If you are in the market for a new car, used car, motorcycle, or any type of vehicle, this is a great opportunity to sit in them, check out the engine, and test all of the options before making your decision.

You might be thinking that this type event would leave you open to being trapped by over-zealous car sales people never to escape. Honestly we were concerned about the same thing. We only were trapped by one such sales person and ended up just having to casually walk away. We did take his business card and promised to call him if we were in the market which seemed to placate him a bit. That was definitely the exception to the rule though. Everybody was very respectful of our 'just browsing' status however were readily available to answer any questions.

 

 

Admission into the show is $12/adult and $8/child. Weather you live in Medford Oregon, Klamath Falls Oregon, Grants Pass Oregon, or Ashland Oregon you'll find the Portland International Auto Show well worth the drive. It will give you the chance to have a hands on experience with the new 2014 car releases and the chance to stay in downtown Portland, eat in some great restaurants and overall have a fun weekend. 

 

Rhonda Hurst

Auto Emporium Magazine

 

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3 killer classic car investments

By Rob Sass

Published October 17, 2013

Hagerty

 

When discussing killings made in the market, the classic story seems to be that hypothetical person who invested $10,000 and bought 5,000 shares of Apple stock in 1985 for $2.00 a share, and held it for nearly 30 years, and watched that initial investment balloon to $6 million today.  Some people have done nearly as well in the classic car world. Here are some of our favorite killings in the classic car market:

 

1) Famous Ferrari

 

1964 Ferrari 250 GTO: In the February 1981 issue of Hemmings Motor News, a small ad appeared for a 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO, serial number 4091, from a dealer in Joliet, Ill. The asking price was $285,000 (about $733,000 in today’s money). Admittedly, it was not a small sum for a very pretty but obsolete race car. But had you taken the plunge on this rare classic Ferrari (fewer than 40 were made), your investment would be worth around $50 million today. A similar car was reportedly sold for that sum a few weeks ago. That’s about an 18% annualized return.

 

2) Bevy of Bugattis

 

Bugatti collection for a pittance: In 1963, fishing equipment heir John Shakespeare dumped his collection of 30 classic Bugattis to a predatory French collector for a reported price of less than $250,000. The collection might today be worth close to $100 million, and included one of six Bugatti Royales, one of the most expensive cars on the planet. Shakespeare himself had scooped that one up for just $9,000 in 1956.

 

3) Sister snakes

 

A pair of Cobras for less than 100 grand: In the same issue of Hemmings Motor News referenced above, you could have purchased a pair of real Shelby Cobras for under $100,000 — just $30,000 for a small-block 289 Cobra and $60,000 for a big-block 427. Today, they’d be worth about $900,000 and $1.3 million, respectively.

2014 Motor Trend SUV of the Year: Subaru Forester

Get Smart: Fuel-Efficient, Capable, and Fun to Drive? Our Choice is a No-Brainer

By Allyson Harwood | Photos By Mark Bramley | From the December 2013 issue of Motor Trend

 

 

Subaru has a knack for making the right size vehicles for the marketplace, with just the right level of capability people want. As the SUV landscape has changed and traditional body-on-frame SUVs have been overtaken by unibody crossovers and sport/utes, Subaru has changed as well. It moved from selling smaller wagons to making unibody crossovers, and these vehicles resonate with buyers. The company's Forester and Outback have gotten larger over time, but not so large that they scare off loyal Subaru fans. Subarus aren't over the top or ostentatious; they're honest and smart.

The redesigned 2014 Subaru Forester has better efficiency, added power, and increased cargo volume, without a significant increase in overall size. The new Forester provides a comfortable ride with a roomy interior. Its off-road capability is plenty for the majority of sport/utility buyers. It offers a lot of value for the money. And it accomplishes all this while still being fun to drive.

For the 2014 Motor Trend SUV of the year competition, Subaru provided two models on opposite ends of the spectrum: the 2.5i Premium with a six-speed manual and the turbocharged 2.0XT with a continuously variable transmission. The base 2.5-liter four returns for 2014, now with a six-speed manual instead of a five, and its fuel economy has improved. The 2.0XT is powered by a new turbo flat-4 engine, with 26 more horsepower, 32 lb-ft more torque (available at a lower rpm), backed by a CVT instead of the four-speed automatic in the previous generation. Its fuel economy also improved for 2014.

When the drive loops began, one of the most pleasant surprises was revealed: This CVT is really good. Lieberman explained, "I was incredibly impressed with the CVT on the XT, especially when it's in Sport# and fakes up to 8 'gears.' Subaru went ahead and programmed it as aggressively as Porsche's PDK. When I was really flogging away on the XT, I'd look down at the gear indicator and observe that I was in '2.' Impressive." Not only is the CVT good, but editors had an absolute blast driving the Forester, describing it as being "quite tossable," and they enjoyed the XT's road feel and sportier suspension. It was quick at the track, too, where the XT reached 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. That's faster than the Acura MDX and the BMW x1 xDrive28i.


The Forester combines the practicality of a small, wisely engineered SUV with the fun enthusiasts will enjoy. Rave reviews came in as judges completed drive loops in both Subies. "I was whipping around Palmer Road in the XT, going about as fast and having just as much fun as I did in the SRT Jeep and the Audi SQ5 and thinking, '$28K.'" (Lieberman). "The XT really demonstrates the bandwidth of this chassis. For as athletic as the XT feels in S# mode, the ride quality in I mode is quite everyday livable." (Markus) "The whole vehicle has a very light, nimble feel to it, which makes it a lot of fun to hustle along twisting back roads. I had as much fun driving the Forester on-road as off-road." (Jurnecka)

 All the judges agreed that the symmetrical all-wheel drive performed quite well on the off-road course. As more editors took the Foresters on the drive loop, they started to talk -- and the Subarus earned more praise with every passing loop. Lieberman added, "I was immediately hit by a sense of quality and refinement that was missing from most of the other SUVs present. It's as if real, honest-to-goodness chassis engineering had taken place." But as impressed as we were with the Forester on twisty roads, a vehicle has to do a lot more to win the calipers.

If you consider Motor Trend's six criteria for Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year -- advancement in design, efficiency, engineering excellence, performance of intended function, safety, and value -- the Forester nails nearly all of them. Consider value. Both Foresters we evaluated were well-equipped and came in with as-tested prices of $24,320 and $28,820. Lieberman noted, "The most refreshing part of the Forester is its honesty. Hey, look, cloth seats, and you get the idea that Subaru's not ashamed of them. Not every car needs to pretend to be a luxury item. There's something appealing about being a populist product." Loh was equally impressed with the Forester's value: "Jaw-dropping price on the base model: $24K with backup camera and cruise control."

Subaru makes SUVs that give buyers most everything they will need. Adding to the value inherent in this vehicle, the highly efficient 2.5 Touring got the best-of-test fuel economy at 21.9 mpg, and it was driven just as hard as the rest of the 2014 SUV of the Year contenders, if not harder, as the team wrung out this willing SUV on mountain roads. As for safety, the Forester has seven standard airbags, including a new driver-knee airbag for 2014, plus a brake override system, a fuel system cutoff when sensors indicate an impact is coming, and Subaru's ring-shaped frame reinforcement body structure to protect everyone on board. And the Forester is part of a fairly elite club: It is one of the few small SUVs to earn the IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ rating and was the first to excel at all the elements of the IIHS' small overlap front crash test.

 

There are many smart touches here. Visibility is excellent, and the cabin feels airy and spacious. Editors' notes revealed that they liked the interior upgrades, as well as overall vehicle packaging. Kiino said, "Great packaging. Exterior dimensions are relatively tidy, but back-seat room and cargo area are cavernous." Despite being on the smaller end of the SUV spectrum, interior packaging is fantastic, and there were little details that were done just right, things like the excellent driving position, actual knobs on the radio (which we encourage), and armrests in the second row. Judges noted that ingress and egress are quite easy. Also receiving positive notes were the materials in the cabin, which reflected Subaru's smart, practical nature. The manufacturer understands that these vehicles are going to be used by people who want to explore the great outdoors. These buyers hike and go kayaking and camping -- and bring their muddy dogs home. Subaru designers made sure the cabin's materials would hold up through it all. The interior prioritizes function over flash, and the result is an overall sense of refinement and quality. Plus, the Subaru achieves a surprising trio of SUV features: Step-in is low, yet seating position and ground clearance are high. At 8.7 inches, ground clearance is the same as the Grand Cherokee's is in Normal mode.

The Forester did have weaknesses, though. The 2.5-liter engine is adequate, and the manual transmission shifter feels rubbery. There were a few complaints about wind noise. And those who expect an SUV to be able to tow a significant amount will be disappointed, as the Forester can only tow 1500 pounds. But Subaru knows plenty of small-SUV buyers won't need to tow much more than that.

The Forester hits five out of six criteria, but it can be argued that the Subaru is weakest in the Advancement of Design. The key to the Forester is that Subaru designed this vehicle with the right balance of practicality and fun, of on- and off-road capability, and did it at a price point right in the heart of the market. When it comes to Performance of Intended Function, the Forester hits the target. As Loh noted, "There's no excess. Yet the Forester has lots of sport and utility."

For several years, Subaru has hit the sweet spot between those two key elements that define what an SUV is. That's why the Outback was selected as Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year in 2010 and the previous-generation Forester earned the same award in 2009.

With the selection of the Forester as Sport/Utility of the Year for 2014, Subaru becomes the manufacturer to have won the award the most times, the only one that scored a hat trick.

But it makes perfect sense. The Forester has the right combination of attributes for many SUV buyers, and seems to do the impossible: It has more power than before, with better fuel economy, is fun to drive, offers generous ground clearance, and achieves all this at reasonable prices. The Forester isn't a wagon anymore. When a vehicle does this much and does it this well, it truly earns the title of Motor Trend's 2014 Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year.

Updated Lexus CT200h Coming Next Year, New Variants Reported

By  Brandon Turkus



Lexus has had a minor success on its hands with the CT200h, a funky, five-door, sport-luxury hybrid that burst onto the scene in 2011, and managed just over 17,000 US sales in 2012. Worked out to a monthly average, that's nearly 50 percent more units per month than Lexus initially targeted when the car went on sale.

Though it's done well, the CT has been left behind while designers and engineers have reworked the rest of the Lexus lineup, bringing out fully revamped versions of the GS, IS and LS over the past few years. According to a report from Down Under, though, the little CT will get some attention soon.

Speaking to Sean Hanley, boss of Lexus Australia, Aussie site The Motor Report picked up a telling quote about the execs affections for the CT, when he said, "We see the CT200h as our greatest opportunity." Hanley added that a refresh of the CT could happen early in 2014, while a clean-sheet reworking would happen around 2016.

The work needs to be done if Lexus wants to continue playing in an ever fiercer compact luxury market, with competitors from Mini on the low side and the usual suspects Germany – the new Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA and BMW 2 Series – on the high end, getting ready to make life difficult for the hybrid-powered CT. It'll be interesting to see what Lexus does with the next CT. Will it stick with a hybrid powertrain while the rest of the class is gas and diesel, or will it expand beyond the current powerplant? Let us know what you think down in Comments.

News Source: The Motor Report

Image Credit: Lexus

Today's Toughest Trucks

By Evan Griffey of MSN Autos

 

Americans like tough trucks. While some rigs are straight work trucks or daily drivers, many earn their off-pavement stripes dusting up canyon trails, scaling rock formations or bombing through deserts at speed. Some automakers have embraced these adventurous drivers and produced factory-enhanced 4-wheelers that offer extra off-road grit without sacrificing the creature comforts, connectivity and reliability that have become cornerstones of American motoring. Let's take a look at seven special-edition or ruggedly optioned trucks that have fortified drivelines, long-travel suspensions, lofty ground clearance and aggressive good looks to handle a week of commuting and a weekend of rock crawling.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X

The extra-rugged Jeep Wrangler is celebrating 10 years on the trail, and Jeep is blowing out the candles with this limited-edition 2014 Rubicon X. The most dominating Wrangler in the lineup, the X is available as a 2-door Wrangler for $36,095, or 4-door Wrangler Unlimited at $39,595. The Rubicon has always had the most robust driveline in the Wrangler line, and the X keeps the ball rolling with a part-time, 4-wheel-drive system that features electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles. These rough-and-ready axles receive power through a Rock-Trac transfer case with a "4-low" ratio of 4:1, which, along with a 4.10 axle ratio, make the X an adept crawler.

Beyond the mechanicals, the Rubicon X features beefy BFGoodrich tires mounted on 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels painted satin black with polished faces and a red Jeep Wrangler "icon" logo on the inside lip. Blacked-out, steel off-road bumpers toughen up the exterior, with the front bumper featuring removable end caps for added off-road climbing ability. Mopar rock rails up the rugged factor, and a dual-intake Power Dome hood improves engine cooling and gives the rig a more menacing appearance. The X-factor continues inside with exclusive heated black leather seats, an X-exclusive gauge cluster and unique accent treatments that set this Jeep apart.

 

 

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

"Brazen," "audacious" and "hardcore" are just a few of the adjectives that pop to mind when thinking of Ford's daring F-150 SVT Raptor. Available in 2-door SuperCab or 4-door SuperCrew guise, the Raptor is easy to spot with its bold, block-letter F-O-R-D stretched across the grille. This truck is a drop-dead serious off-roader outfitted with aggressive all-terrain tires, competition-spec FOX Racing Shox dampers, skidplates and a Torsen limited-slip differential that allows the truck to balance traction between both front wheels. For 2013, Ford began offering a front grille-mounted camera to improve driver visibility when climbing over rocks and other obstacles that might be obscured by the nose of the truck. That's serious.

 

Want more? Look at the Raptor's wheels. They can be converted from conventional rims to more serious bead-lock rims by merely unbolting the standard outer decorative ring, dismounting the tire from its conventional position, then remounting it in the proper lockable position with the available bead-lock ring kit from Ford Racing. The F-150 SVT Raptor also sports over-the-top aggressive looks, a 411-horsepower V8 engine and a properly decked-out interior. Raptors have a base price of $44,035, and recently Ford had to up production because these bad boys were clawing their way off showroom floors so quickly.

 

Toyota FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition

For a number of years Toyota has offered a special-edition FJ Cruiser, noted by its one-off paint scheme. The 2014 FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Special Edition sports monotonepaint and projects a tough, slightly menacing look, accentuated by black bumpers, front grille and door handles. The Trail Teams special edition adds about $8,000 to the price of a 4x4 FJ Cruiser, which has a base price of $28,310 with the manual transmission.

The Trail Teams' styling complements its off-road capability. A Trail Teams package beefs up chassis performance with trail-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, a rear differential lock and Toyota's Active Traction Control system. Engine, fuel tank and transfer case skidplates and rock rails increase ruggedness, while Toyota Racing Development alloy wheels and BFGoodrich all-terrain tires enhance grip. The Toyota's 4.0-liter V6 engine has been augmented with a cyclone pre-air cleaner, while the interior is trimmed in Trail Teams exclusive gear.

Chevrolet Silverado Z71 Off Road

All-new for 2014, the Chevrolet Silverado is taking its game up a notch with new High Country and Z71 packages. The Z71 moniker represents a longstanding off-road package for the 1500 series pickups from General Motors, for both Chevrolet and GMC trucks. Prices for the Silverado range from $34,345 for a regular cab Z71 rig to $40,805 for a 4-door crew cab setup. The package includes specially valved Rancho monotube shocks, a heavy-duty air cleaner, an underbody transfer case shield, an automatic locking rear differential, all-terrain tires, a trailering package and hill descent control.

The Silverado Z71 package also has a unique Z71 gauge cluster, lower bumper and grille openings and available custom 18-inch bright machined-aluminum wheels. Custom Z71 graphics on the instrument cluster and pickup bed, as well as brushed-aluminum sill plates and special interior accents, make this truck not only tough but also stylish.

 

Nissan Frontier PRO-4X

Nissan's PRO-4X version of the Frontier midsize pickup can be had in King Cab ($29,330) or Crew Cab ($30,220) configurations. The PRO-4X versions feature Bilstein off-road high-pressure shock absorbers; skidplates on the fuel tank, oil pan and transfer case; an electronic rear differential locker; 4-wheel limited-slip differentials and unique machine-finished 16-inch aluminum alloy off-road wheels with fat BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires.

The Nissan Frontier PRO-4X interior includes PRO 4X-specific bucket seats, a leather-appointed white-stitched shifter knob (manual transmission only) and steering wheel, chrome accent trim and dedicated floormats. All PRO-4Xs also feature PRO 4X badging, fog lamps and body-colored grille, bumpers, outside mirrors and door handles.

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

Based on the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, the Trailhawk ($29,495) exemplifies Jeep's off-road credibility with a distinctive, aggressive look backed up by hard-hitting Trail Rated hardware. The Trailhawk's standard equipment list includes aggressive approach and departure angles (compliments of the rig's unique front and rear fascias), a 1-inch factory lift, Jeep's Active Drive Lock with locking rear differential, skidplates and signature red tow hooks.

The Cherokee Trailhawk's locking rear differential is selectable in any low-range terrain mode, but it will lock automatically when in certain modes, such as Rock, to maximize what Jeep calls "tractive effort" at the particular tire patch that can support it. The Trailhawk is the top Cherokee — $2,000 more than the Limited and $6,500 more than a base trim. The Trailhawk is a little less adventurous than its Rubicon X cousin, lacking the heavy-duty Dana 44 differentials and giving up some ground clearance, but you do get an SUV driving experience and keep up to $10,000 in your wallet.

Toyota Tacoma T|X Baja

The T|X Baja Series is available on both the Tacoma Access ($32,990) and Double Cab ($34,275) 4x4 trucks equipped with the TRD Off-Road package. The Baja bundles a collection of options and one-off accessories that are cheaper than if they were selected separately. The front suspension has been upgraded to include Bilstein race shocks with TRD coil springs that provide a 1-inch increase in wheel travel. The rear suspension is equipped with 50-millimeter piston Bilstein race shocks with remote reservoirs to increase shock oil capacity for greater heat dissipation and damping sensitivity. The rear shock setup adds a 1.5-inch increase in wheel travel.

The Tacoma T|X Baja is motivated by a 4.0-liter 260-horsepower V6 engine with either 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions. Active traction control, hill-start assist control and downhill assist control are included on the TRD Off-Road package, in addition to an electronically controlled locking rear differential. Options for the limited-edition T|X Baja Series include BFGoodrich T/A KO tires, bead-lock style off-road wheels with an exclusive gun-metal gray finish, a TRD cat-back exhaust, an increased front ride height of nearly 2 inches and unique Baja Series graphics.

Evan Griffey served as an editor of Turbo & High Tech Performance, a pioneering publication about sport-compacttuning. Today Griffey freelances for Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Car Audio and Siphon.

Cadillac drops all-new 2015 Cadillac Escalade in NYC

By Nelson Ireson

Published October 08, 2013

High Gear Media

 

Attention pop stars, sports stars, billionaires and other chauffeur-driven specials, next season’s must have accessory has arrived.
Cadillac on Monday night dropped its all new 2015 Escalade at a flashy event in NYC, where it reigns as king of the luxury SUV limousines.
The fancy full-size truck is one of GM’s most profitable vehicles, and a high visibility image make for its flagship brand, so it pulled out all the stops for this very important redesign.
Our friends at Motor Authority have the details:
Already one of the top choices for luxury SUV buyers who actually use their vehicle for serious work (or serious play), the Cadillac Escalade gets a complete redesign for the 2015 model year, bringing a more powerful and efficient new V-8 engine, a completely revamped exterior, and a more luxurious, spacious interior.
Now entering its fourth generation, the Escalade is Cadillac's flagship SUV, and it's clearly aiming to put the rest of the large luxury SUV  world on notice: as with its sedans, Cadillac is gunning for world-class marks.
While production of the new Escalade doesn't begin until next spring, at GM's Arlington, Texas factory, the Escalade's details portend a smart--if not revolutionary--advance on its third-generation model. Both standard and ESV long-wheelbase (14-inches extra wheelbase, 20 inches longer overall) models will be offered; no EXT model with the short pickup-like bed is planned. Rear-wheel drive is once again standard, with all-wheel drive available.

Capability
The heart of the new 2015 Escalade is the 6.2-liter V-8 engine shared with the new Chevy Silverado High Country and GMC Sierra Denali, rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Those figures represent a 5 percent rise in horsepower and a 10 percent rise in torque from the previous model. The grille hosts active shutters to reduce drag when less airflow is needed, just as in many other current GM vehicles. Direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and continuously variable valve timing further help enhance gas mileage, though Cadillac hasn't yet revealed estimated EPA figures for the Escalade.
Cadillac says the new Escalade will be capable of towing up to 8,200 pounds when properly configured, thanks to a fully-boxed frame made of 75-percent high-strength steel. A Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.
Underneath the Escalade's flashy new skin sits a coil-over-shock front suspension and five-link/coil-spring rear suspension. Greater rear track width helps with stability, while 20-inch wheels (standard) and available 22-inch wheels help give the Escalade its trademark stance. A new variable-assist electric power steering system makes handling the big SUV a breeze, while also helping boost overall gas mileage.
Comfort
The interior of the Escalade is a pride point for GM, having been the first full image of the new SUV teased before its unveiling. Real wood, cut-and-sewn upholstery, sueded accents, ambient lighting, tight tolerances, and triple-sealed doors put a priority on premium fit, finish, and feel. Cadillac clearly wants to advance the perception of true luxury in the new Escalade.
In Tour and Sport models, the 2015 Escalade will come standard with third-generation magneto-rheological dampers, dubbed Magnetic Ride Control by GM. By responding to the road surface and driver inputs every millisecond, the system can fluctuate throughout the damper's range of stiffness and softness to smooth out the ride while, at the same time, improving handling and body control.
Despite keeping the same wheelbases as the previous Escalade (116 inches for standard models, 130 inches for the ESV), Cadillac has managed to open up four additional inches of legroom, a much-needed improvement over the third-generation Escalade. There's also an extra 1.5 inches of headroom in the 2015 model, and the second- and third-row seats now fold flat for better cargo space even when all seats are installed.
Both front and second-row seats are also available with heating and cooling, while models fitted with the optional reclining second-row bench get heated outboard seats.
Technology
Cadillac's new CUE infotainment sytem finds a home in the new Escalade, bringing with it the capacitive touch, proximity-sensing, swiping-and-tapping control more commonly found in tablets and smartphones. The CUE system is controled through the center stack panel and a large touchscreen display. A 12.3-inch, reconfigurable display serves as the instrument panel, offering further information to the driver, including both infotainment and vehicle information functions. As you'd expect, key communication and infotainment systems can be controlled directly from the steering wheel.
In addition to the entertainment and connectivity features in the new Escalade, the safety side of the tech sheet gets some upgrades, too, including the segment's only front-seat center-mounted airbag, designed to give additional protection to front-seat occupants on the opposite side from the collision in side-impact crashes.
A Driver Awareness package is also available, bundling together Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, and Safety Alert Seat (which buzzes the seat to alert the driver of potential hazards). The Driver Assist package adds adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic braking, Automatic Collision Preparation, and automatic seatbelt tightening functions. Luxury and Premium-trim Escalades can also opt for side blind-zone detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change alert systems.
For even more information on the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, visit The Car Connection's preview--and look for our first-drive impressions of the new pinnacle of American luxury utility vehicles soon.

4 Tips On How To Test-Drive Used Cars

There’s a lot more to test driving a car than just taking it out for a spin. You have to really get to know a car, maybe even fall in love with it, before you commit to buying. When you test drive a car, here’s are four tips that’ll ensure you make the most of your time:

1. Make an Exterior Inspection Checklist

Before you even get behind the wheel, you’ll want to inspect the exterior of a used car. Be sure to take this quick list:

Tires. Check if for worn tires or cracked, and check if the wear is even on all four tires.

Rust and Dents. Check doors and hinges for rust. Look along the side of the car for ripples that could signal past repairs.

Lights. Operate the headlights, brights, brake lights, and turning signals to make sure they all work.

2. Make an Interior Inspection Checklist

Once in the car, remember to check that the seats and controls are up to your standards. The smell and condition of the seats is certainly something to consider, but don’t forget to check these things:

Stereo. Operate the stereo, including the auxiliary option or CD player if available.

Seats. Try adjusting your seat and the passenger seat.

A/C and Heat. Work the air conditioning at all fan levels and temperatures.

Cruise Control. Make sure the cruise control works, even when you use the turn signal.
As you inspect the car, keep an open mind and take notes for future decision-making.

3. Look for Value-Adding Features

Do you know what makes a car a good resell? You can enjoy the luxury of these features and still get some money for it if you decide to sell again:

Hands-Free Option. With many states forbidding drivers from using their cellphones while on the road, newer cars are offering hands-free or blue-tooth options. These laws aren’t likely to change, so the value of these systems will stay intact.

Leather Interiors. Leather has long been appreciated as a high value in cars. It is still preferred today, so go ahead and spend the extra on leather if you love it. You aren’t likely to lose the money on it when you sell.

4. Ignore Value-Diminishing Features

While great features like cruise control and intelligent keys can add to your car’s resell value, too much customization wastes money when it comes time to get rid of the vehicle. Here are two things that a sales rep might highlight but that you shouldn’t consider as an addition to your car’s value:

Flashy Colors. Something unusually bold or bright like gold or lime green may seem cool at the time, but it can make resell difficult. Traditional colors like black and white are a surer way to go.

Flashy Rims. It’s not that you can’t buy nice and new rims for a car you buy used , but something especially flamboyant or expensive may put off some buyers. Instead, choose moderately sized rims.

Did you take a checklist to your test drive? What tips do you have? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Chevrolet Malibu Turns 50, We Take a Look Back at Its Eight Generations

Saturday, October 05, 2013 

Did you know that in 1964, a British firm named Leyland Motor Corp., challenged the United States blockade of Cuba by selling 450 buses to the Cuban government? In the same year, The Beatles kicked off the “British invasion” of America when their song “I wanna hold your hand” landed No. 1 spot on the U.S. singles charts, a first for the popular band.
It was also a good year for the middle class as the economy had fully overcome the hardships of war and people had money to spend. Who could blame them, when a gallon of gas cost 30 cents and a movie ticket sold for $1.25? It was the perfect timing for GM to introduce the Chevrolet Malibu. Borrowing its name from the Los Angeles-area enclave that was the center of the beach culture in the 1960s, the Malibu began life as the top trim line for Chevrolet’s intermediate platform, which also included the Chevelle as an entry-level model, and the El Camino truck. The Malibu was aimed at the growing number of suburban customers who wanted a roomy yet efficient car for their long daily commutes. The original Chevrolet Malibu was introduced in 1964 as the brand’s first “intermediate” car and one of the first midsize cars in the United States. Prior to the Malibu, Chevrolet’s passenger car lineup consisted of a range of full-size models, headlined by Impala, along with the compact Chevy II (Nova), Corvair and Corvette. So, are you ready to take a trip down memory lane and see how the Malibu evolved through the years?

First generation: 1964 - 1967 The Malibu featured a body-on-frame construction and responsive coil-spring front suspension. Originally launched as a premium sedan for families, the Malibu couldn’t ignore the muscle car wars of the 1960s and soon the sporty Malibu SS was born. However, the Chevelle SS assumed the role of the lineup’s muscle car in 1966 and the Malibu continued as the premium model. The El Camino was also part of the lineup.

Second generation: 1968 - 1972 The 1968 – 1972 models were based on the original intermediate platform but featured a slightly shorter 112-inch wheelbase for coupes and convertibles and a longer, 116-inch wheelbase for sedans and wagons. Like the first generation, each model year in the second generation had distinctive year-over-year styling differences.

 

Third generation: 1973 - 1977 In 1973 Chevrolet introduced a new frame for the third-generation Malibu that retained the previous wheelbases but featured 5-inch longer and 1-inch wider bodies in order to comply with new federal crash standards. A European-inspired Laguna model stood atop the midsize hierarchy for a brief period.

Fourth generation: 1978 – 1983
The Chevelle line was discontinued after 1977, with the fourth generation of downsized midsize cars sticking only with the Malibu name from 1978 onward. Malibu models were a foot shorter and more than 500 pounds lighter, offering V6 and V8 engines. Chevrolet even produced a police car version.

Fifth generation: 1997 - 2003 From 1984 to 1996, the Malibu nameplate disappeared, only to be reintroduced as an all-new, front-wheel-drive sedan available with four- and six-cylinder engines in 1997.

Sixth generation: 2004 – 2007 
For 2004, Malibu switched to GM’s global architecture that offered improved technology, efficiency and performance, including the return of the Malibu SS, which was powered by a 240hp 3.9-liter V6 engine. The Malibu range also included the Malibu Maxx five-door extended sedan, which brought greater cargo room, sliding and reclining rear seats.   

Seventh generation: 2008 – 2012 The new generation used an enhanced, longer version of the platform introduced on the 2004 Malibu. It also featured improved safety features, including standard head curtain side air bags. It was voted the 2008 North American Car of the Year and was a critical success for GM exceeding the brand's expectations.   

Eighth generation: 2013 - The all-new Malibu offers the segment’s first engine with standard stop/start technology and an available 2.0-liter turbo engine with 259 horsepower. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 65 percent more horsepower than the original Malibu’s standard 3.2-liter six-cylinder unit. The 2013 Malibu received mostly lukewarm reviews forcing GM to usher in a facelift only 18 months after launch, with the 2014MY sporting light styling tweaks, improved interior space, and updated powertrains and chassis.

 

 


By Dan Mihalascu

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