a PDF copy - San Diego International Auto Show

Transcription

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AUTO SHOW
O FFICIAL
PRO GRAM
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A crave new world
Bring a teenager to the auto show – you’ll appreciate the fresh perspective
illennials, some say, are just not
as interested in cars as were
former generations of young
drivers. They could care less if
there is a powerful engine under the hood
and dual exhausts out the back.
But, this youthful generation does care
about fuel economy, exhaust emissions and
the negative or positive “footprint” of their
lifestyle on the world. And what really gets
them going is what’s behind the dashboard
— the electronics and advanced technologies. Computer power is more potent than
horsepower.
It is a crave new world for this demographic segment of around 80 million, born
from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. They
M
have grown up with the Internet, email,
cellphones, laptops and 1,000 channels of
television programming. They accept these
electronic innovations as tools to help them
work, be entertained and to stay connected
with friends and family.
It would be an alien environment if these
technologies were NOT in their cars. And
even in today’s least expensive cars there
can dozens of computer systems — CPUs,
Central Processing Units — talking to each
other to help the car run cleaner, smoother,
safer and to power that eight-speaker audio
system with hands-free phone connectivity
and satellite radio. Some of the cars on the
show floor will park themselves, steer themSEE SHOW • PAGE6
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW
Dec. 31 to Jan. 3
San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Drive. Nearly 500 new vehicles on display, 12 ride
and drives, expanded exotics salon, EV Day (Friday, Jan. 1) Eco Center, Car Parts Symphony
and more.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, to Saturday, Jan. 2;
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3
Tickets: $12 ages 13 and older; military (with ID) and seniors 62 and older $9; children* ages
7-12 $ 8. (*children will be admitted free on Sunday, Jan. 3, when accompanied by an adult.)
Parking: $15.
Info: SDAutoShow.com.
Basic transportation is evolving from the self-propelled ("automotive") to the self-reliant ("autonomous") vehicle. The car
could ultimately become a mobile living space, according to
Mercedes-Benz when it debuted its concept, Mercedes-Benz
F 015 Luxury in Motion, at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The self-driving luxury sedan illustrates how the car is growing beyond its role as a mere means of transport and will
ultimately become a private retreating space. This new way
of traveling gives passengers the freedom to use their valuable time on the road in manifold ways.
2016 Honda Pilot
4
Radical redesign adds size,
quality and technologies
BY MARK MAYNARD
T
he 2016 Honda Pilot has been completely re-engineered and carved
into a new sleek body style with a
sophisticated, new all-wheel-drive
system.
Honda’s largest SUV continues with
three rows and seats for seven or eight. The
ground-up redesign is 3.5 inches longer but
300 pounds lighter than the 2015 model. The
The Pilot is a comfortable cruiser with
full-bodied seats and a well-soundproofed cabin.
added size went to rear legroom, wider
access to the third row and a longer cargo
area. Listen for the quality thunk when
closing the doors.
There also are more high-quality, softtouch materials with an abundance of Honda’s clever and thoughtfully engineered
conveniences.
All models use a 280-horsepower, 3.5-liter
V-6 with a six-speed automatic on the lower
trim levels and a nine-speed on upper trims.
Sold in five trim levels in front- or all-wheel
drive, starting prices range from $30,875 to
$47,300 for the Pilot Elite AWD (today’s
tester), which adds voice-controlled navigation and a rear DVD-entertainment system.
The Elite tester seemed to be a good
value with big-car comfort and contemporary features. Its advanced safety technologies range from Collision Mitigation
Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning to adaptive cruise control and
hill-start assist. They are active while driving but don’t jump out with frightful warnings at the slightest provocation.
Fuel economy with the nine speed and
all-wheel drive on 87 octane is 19 mpg city, 26
highway and 22 mpg combined. I was averaging 22.7 to 22.9 mpg. The six-speed,
two-wheel drive Pilot is rated 19/27/22 mpg.
The V-6 can run on three cylinders while
cruising.
The new Pilot is a ground-up redesign that is 3.5 inches longer but 300 pounds
lighter than the 2015 model. Starting prices range from $30,875 to $47,300.
The Pilot is a comfy cruiser with fullbodied seats and a well-soundproofed cabin. But there is some head toss when pulling into angled streets and driveways.
Blame the toughened suspension for towing
and the raised ride height. There is plenty of
stopping power from 12.6-inch vented front
disc brakes and 13-inch solid discs rear, on
all models.
The driver faces command central with
clear access to controls. The eight-inch
touch screen for audio, navigation, phone
and apps is large and easily viewed. But I
still had to take my eyes from the road to
make simple choices, such as adjusting the
audio volume.
There is more genuine usability in this
iteration of Pilot and less contrived trucky
styling.
Maynard is the automotive editor at the San Diego
Union-Tribune.
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Among BMW’s ConnectedDrive system is the ability for the i3 electric car to
communicate with the motorist’s smartphone. An
automated parking feature
for parking structures will
drive the BMW i3 autonomously to a vacant space
and park it. When the driver
is ready to set off again, the
vehicle can be called via the
smartwatch and the car will
return to the driver’s location, ready for departure.
Think of the possibilities for
such convenience, including
delivering a pet to the
groomer or a personal shopper, without the owner leaving home.
SHOW
FROM PAGE 3
selves, avoid collisions, talk with other cars
— and their owners. Eventually, motorists
will be able to use these “connected” cars to
run errands while the owner attends to
more important things. How about a latenight run for food – pickles or ice cream,
maybe? Or send your car to pick up a friend
or drop off dry-cleaning.
“Because today’s teenagers have grown
up with unprecedented access to technology in the form of video games, smartphones, tablets and laptops, it is not surprising that they are completely in tune with
in-car technology. In fact, they are typically
more fluent in the technology than they are
in the driving experience,” said Jack Nerad,
Executive Editorial Director, Kelley Blue
Book/kbb.com.
An auto show is a great place to meld
those two experiences, Nerad said. “Teenagers can help guide their elders in the fine
points of infotainment and electronic driving and safety aids, while older generations
can fill them in on the still relevant task —
and privilege — of driving an automobile.
“Despite what is being written and said
by some, millennials share previous generations’ enthusiasm for the freedom a car
gives them,” Nerad said. “Attending an auto
show is a bonding experience across the
generations, because a cool car is still a cool
car.”
So it’s not that millennials don’t love
cars, they simply love them for different
reasons. They will love them at the 2016 San
Diego International Auto Show, running
Thursday, Dec. 31 to Sunday, Jan. 3 in the
San Diego Convention Center.
Anybody can still get into a new car and
drive. But like a new laptop computer, there
are many functions and features that will
never be used – at least until that teenager
points out how easy the deeper functions
can be to enjoy.
Based on what was exhibited at the
SEE SHOW • PAGE10
Drivers of the 2016 Chevrolet Spark can bring the power of their smartphone into
the car to access maps, apps, music and navigation with the controls displayed
clearly on the 7-inch touchscreen in the console.
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2017 Ford Escape
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Updated with 2 new engines,
stop-start, safety upgrades
BY NICK BUNKLEY
ord Motor Co. is making substantial
changes to the Escape crossover
next year, giving the exterior a more
rugged, upscale look and adding
technology from more expensive vehicles.
The refresh of the Escape, Ford’s topselling nameplate after the F-Series pickup,
follows updates this year to the Edge and
Explorer crossovers, giving the automaker a
F
The interior has new design or material on nearly all surfaces
lineup of fresh utility vehicles. Its biggest
SUV, the Expedition, is expected to be redesigned in 2017.
The 2017 Escape, due out in late spring,
gets a redesigned interior and two new
four-cylinder EcoBoost engines, both of
which come packaged with idle stop-start to
improve fuel efficiency.
The next Escape also will be the first
vehicle with Sync Connect, an expansion of
Ford’s connectivity system that lets drivers
start and lock or unlock their vehicles via
smartphone app and offers driver-assist
features such as lane keeping and a warning
if a vehicle detects signs of driver fatigue.
“We’re taking our best stuff and bringing
it down to our most-affordable and highestvolume SUV,” said Milton Wong, the Escape’s chief engineer.
Ford said the Escape, which was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, represents the industry’s highest-volume rollout
of auto stop-start. It will come standard on
the SE and Titanium trims, which account
for a combined 90 percent of current Escape
sales.
The start-stop feature comes with one of
two EcoBoost engine options.
Ford is replacing the 1.6-liter engine on
the current Escape with a 1.5-liter motor
that’s estimated to produce roughly the
same horsepower and torque. Or buyers
could step up to a 2.0-liter, twin-scroll en-
The 2017 Escape, due out in late spring, gets a redesigned interior and two new
four-cylinder EcoBoost engines.
gine, introduced earlier this year in the
Edge, that Ford says creates less vibration
and noise than the outgoing 2.0 liter.
The base model S trim will use a carryover 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine.
The trapezoidal front grille is much
larger than on the current Escape, bringing
it more in line with the look of the redesigned Edge.
Inside the cabin, Ford said it changed the
design or material used on nearly all surfaces that customers will touch, including the
steering wheel, dashboard and climate
controls. Sync 3, which replaced MyFord
Touch in the 2016 Escape, now will come
with five free years of the Sync Connect
mobile access. The glove box is now a bin
that swings outward for easier access to its
contents.
On the center console, Ford replaced the
mechanical parking-brake lever with an
electronic button, freeing up space to reposition the gearshift and add storage areas
large enough for today’s oversize phones
and sunglasses.
The Escape is Ford’s most female-oriented vehicle, with women accounting for 53
percent of buyers.
Bunkley writes for Automotive News.
2016 Honda Civic Sedan
10th generation model
styled and equipped to
claim new territory
BY DAVID UNDERCOFFLER
onda Motor Co., shrugging off the faltering U.S.
car market, is aspiring to
capture some of the
luxury market's enduring magic
with its overhaul of the Civic lineup.
The 2016 Civic sedan will be
available with features and engineering specs that are rare for its
class: automatic emergency braking, multilink rear suspension,
hydraulic bushings, standard
automatic climate control, heated
leather seats in front and back,
lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise
control and more.
It features a sportier, hatchback-like profile and adopts a new,
lighter-yet-stiffer modular global
platform, one that will underpin
future versions of the CR-V crossover and midsize Accord.
The sedan is the first in a family
H
The 2016 Civic is ‘quite simply the most ambitious remake of
Civic we've ever done,’ said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co.
of Civic variants that will include
an Si coupe aimed at younger
consumers, a high-performance
Type R coupe for enthusiasts and
the first five-door Civic hatchback
sold in the U.S.
With that range, along with the
stiffer platform and an available
turbocharged engine – the Honda
brand's first in the U.S. – the Civic
is elbowing its way into the turf of
Volkswagen's newest Golf, which
has been a hit with critics and
consumers.
But as engineering began in
early 2012, Honda set its sights
even higher, benchmarking vehicles such as the Audi A3 and some
BMW models in an effort to recapture the Civic's sportiness and
raise the bar for mainstream compact sedans.
"This 10th-generation Civic is
quite simply the most ambitious
remake of Civic we've ever done,"
said John Mendel, executive vice
president of American Honda
Motor Co.
Consider it penance for the
widely panned previous-gener-
ation Civic, for which, Honda has
acknowledged, it set its sights too
low in a mistaken bet that postrecession consumers were willing
to forgo quality materials and
fetching design for a low price. The
misstep dinged Honda's reputation, prompting an apology from
top Honda brass and a rushed
midcycle redo.
The latest overhaul could help
the Civic stand out in a market
that's tilting heavily toward crossovers and SUVs, including Honda's own CR-V and its new HR-V
subcompact crossover.
The updated sedan is more
sculpted, nearly 2 inches wider
and 1 inch lower, with a 1.2-inchlonger wheelbase. The changes –
inspired by Audi's TT – provide
more interior room, an extra 2
inches of rear legroom and added
trunk space.
Starting prices range from
$19,475 to $27,335 for the Touring
model with 1.5-liter. Pricing includes the $835 freight charge from
Greensburg, Ind.
Base LX and EX sedan models
will come with a 2.0-liter, fourcylinder engine that's paired with
a six-speed manual transmission
on the LX and a continuous variable transmission on the EX. Higher trims get the all-new, 1.5-liter
turbo four and a CVT.
Fuel economy ratings for the
entry LX with six-speed manual
transmission are 27 mpg city, 40
highway and 31 mpg combined on
87 octane. CVT models with the
2.0-liter engine are rated 31/41/35
mpg. And the new, turbocharged
1.5 liter boosts the highway rating
to 42 mpg. Honda has no plans to
offer a hybrid or compressed natural gas-powered Civic.
Undercoffler writes for Automotive News.
The larger dimensions provide
more interior room, including
an extra 2 inches of rear legroom and added trunk space.
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Audi expects to offer a model capable of fully autonomous
driving within the next few years.
SHOW
FROM PAGE 6
annual Consumer Electronics Show, some
advanced technologies might include:
• Autonomous vehicles: Self-driving cars
(perhaps fully autonomous only under
certain circumstances).
• Driver Override Systems: Some call
this the “Cognitive Vehicle,” or a car that
thinks for itself under certain circumstances, mostly related to safety. Think self-braking and collision-avoidance, technologies
that are already available, but which will be
expanded to other areas of the vehicle, so
that your car really “knows” you. For instance, it could adjust your music play list
based on previous choices.
• Biometric Vehicle Access: No more key
fobs to misplace. All you need is your finger
(print). This could potentially read bloodalcohol levels, too, locking drivers out of
their vehicles if necessary, and leading to
fewer drunken driving accidents and fatalities. The technology currently exists.
• Comprehensive Vehicle Tracking: This
one will raise some eyebrows among Big
Brother theorists, for sure, but insurance
companies and state governments have
explored establishing mileage-based fees —
you are your own toll booth — that could
generate revenue for road repairs and other
infrastructure improvements. Insurance
companies already have the plug in “black
boxes” that track and reward (or not) driving behavior. And this technology will become more prevalent with every new evolution of a vehicle.
The most fundamental shift — and why
your kids will understand your car better
than you — is the integration of smart technology. These are the electronics that will
allow various devices, both internal and
external, to communicate with the car and
each other.
Google’s Android platform and Apple’s
iOS are leading the charge to make this a
reality. Already the navigation system in
your vehicle’s console could resemble the
screen of your smartphone.
Tomorrow’s technology is already today
and it is a good incentive to use the auto
show as a learning center to help you make
informed choices. There will be around 500
of those tech-infused cars on display during
one of the West Coast’s largest and most
popular auto shows.
In conjunction with the University of Michigan and State Farm, Ford has been
testing a Fusion Hybrid sedan that will be used to develop automated driving and
other advanced technologies.
2017 Lincoln MKZ
BY NICK BUNKLEY
T
Lincoln executives said they have received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the brand’s “new face” since unveiling the
Continental concept in April.
months after the MKZ.
“It’s a natural evolution,” Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln, said in an interview. “We’re
investing a lot in the brand and the
grille has to evolve.”
Galhotra said the MKZ fea-
tures a number of technologies
aimed at making driving less
stressful, including active hold,
which keeps the car stopped at a
traffic light without continuously
depressing the brake pedal, and
adaptive cruise control with stop
starting prices of about $35,000 to
$38,000.
The 400-horsepower, turbocharged V-6 will be a big hit, said
dealer principal Ed Witt of Witt
Lincoln in the Mission Valley area
of San Diego. “Pricing should be
about the same (as the 2016 model), however the options for the
turbo will be different from the
non-turbocharged V-6 today and
there will be different packages.”
Bunkley writes for Automotive News.
High-end options will include
two new Black Label themes –
"chalet" and "vineyard" – and
two levels of Revel audio systems.
he Lincoln MKZ will be the
first car to drop the
brand’s split-wing grille in
favor of a rectangular
design that debuted on the Continental concept.
The 2017 MKZ, scheduled to go
on sale next summer, also will
introduce a 3.0-liter turbocharged
V-6 engine that’s exclusive to
Lincoln and rated at 400 horsepower when paired with all-wheel
drive. That’s 100 hp more than the
most powerful engine on the current MKZ, which is Lincoln’s highest-volume nameplate.
Ford Motor Co. unveiled the
significantly refreshed midsize
sedan last month at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Lincoln executives said they have received
overwhelmingly positive feedback
about the brand’s “new face” since
unveiling the Continental concept
in April. The Continental is expected to go on sale several
and go, meaning the car can automatically follow the flow of traffic
even through periodic standstills.
Lincoln has eliminated the
touch-sensitive sliders that the
current MKZ employs for audio
and climate controls, returning to
buttons and knobs that are easier
to use while driving. High-end
options include two new Black
Label themes — “chalet” and
“vineyard” — and two levels of
Revel audio systems.
The base engine is a carry-over
2.0-liter four-cylinder, and a gaselectric hybrid option will remain.
The 3.0-liter engine, which also will
be available in the Continental,
replaces a 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V-6 rated at 300 hp with 277
foot-pounds of torque.
Despite the boost in power to
as much as 400 hp and 400 footpounds of torque, “this is not
performance for performance
sake,” said Rob Rosenbach, Lincoln’s brand manager for the MKZ.
“This is not about raw performance. This is smooth power.”
Pricing will be announced
closer to the on-sale date next
summer. The 2016 MKX, available
in front- or all-wheel drive has
Debuts new styling, new
turbo V-6 engine
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2016 Ford Focus SE
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3-cylinder engine
is a mighty minion
BY MARK MAYNARD
ord’s 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine is
a mighty minion.
It is Ford’s smallest engine
around the world and is available in
the subcompact Fiesta and compact Focus
sedan or the five-door hatchback. This
turbocharged and direct-injection engine —
weighing a mere 215 pounds — spins up just
F
The interior is attractively designed
and ergonomically laid out with buttons and switches for most controls.
123 horsepower, but it puts the power in the
right rpm range to make this compact car a
viable choice for the super-commuter with a
90-mile-plus daily round trip.
With either the six-speed manual or
six-speed automatic, the fuel economy
ratings are 30 mpg city, 42 highway and 35
mpg combined, on 87 octane.
With the stick shift, I was averaging 35-37
mpg, without really trying to excel. With a
full tank (12.4 gallons) a driver will see a
“distance to empty” reading of about 455
miles. That’s reassuring to those who drive
more than 100 miles a day and would like to
avoid the every-other-day visit to a gas
station.
The 2016 Focus SE with 1.0-liter and
manual transmission has a starting price of
$20,635, including the $875 freight charge
from Wayne, Mich. A six-speed automatic
(an automated manual) transmission
would add $1,095. There’s also a $1,250 incentive to take new retail delivery from
dealer stock by Jan. 4, 2016.
I liked the simplicity and easy drivability
of the Focus. It is one of those cars that
doesn’t overwhelm with complex advanced
technologies, though those are available.
There is easy Bluetooth connectivity for
phones with streaming music. The interior
is attractively designed and ergonomically
laid out with buttons and switches for most
controls. Trunk space is huge at 13.2 cubic
The Ford Focus 1.0-liter has fuel economy ratings of 30 mpg city, 42 highway and
35 mpg combined.
feet, plus the back seat folds.
This engine isn’t “all ate up with power,”
but the six-speed manual finesses the 148
foot-pounds of torque, hitting its peak at
5,000 rpm. The clutch is light and the gearbox has sweet and forgiving shiftability. And
there’s a hill-holder to take the pucker away
from startups.
To get maximum mpgs, the driver will be
short shifting to get to the higher rpms for
fuel sipping. But you’ll be able to cruise at 80
mph and higher with ease. I’ve driven less
responsive four-cylinders with automatic
transmissions.
The Focus SE is a so-called green car
without waving a big “hybrid” flag. Thinking
small has its advantages.
Mark Maynard is the automotive editor at the San Diego
Union-Tribune. [email protected]
2016 Ford Fusion
Simple updates and big
incentives through Jan. 4
BY MARK MAYNARD
T
he Ford Fusion represents the great
American privilege of choice. It is
sold in gasoline, hybrid and plug-in
hybrid models in front- or all-wheel
drive.
Step back and give a good look at this
midsize four-door — and then look around
at some of the competing cars. From the
front, to the side and to the rear, the Fusion
Interior adjustments include a redesigned center stack that adds a few
more buttons and simplifies using the
SYNC infotainment screen.
has the shapely styling, stance and vibe of a
luxury-class car. But with family-class pricing.
This generation Focus debuted in 2013
and for 2016 Ford hasn’t had to do much
except make some simple changes to the
interior, fatten up some option packages
and add a new Shadow Black paint choice.
Imagine that color on the S model with the
new Appearance Package that includes
18-inch alloy wheels painted Ebony black,
front fog lamps and rear spoiler. A not-sosmall update is the redesigned center stack
that adds a few more buttons and simplifies
using the SYNC infotainment screen.
Gasoline models, sold in three trim levels, have a choice of three four-cylinder
engines, two of them turbocharged, with a
six-speed automatic transmission. The base
175-horsepower 2.5-liter has EPA estimated
fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 34 highway and 26 mpg combined, on 87 octane.
The midrange, 181-hp 1.5-liter has mileage
ratings of 25/3729 mpg. And the 240-hp
2.0-liter has estimated mileage of 22/33/26
mpg for front-drive models and 22/31/25 mpg
with AWD, on premium fuel.
Pricing starts at about $23,000 and goes
to $32,000 for the Titanium AWD with the
2.0-liter, leather-trimmed upholstery and
12-speaker audio system. (All pricing includes the $875 freight charge). Buyers can
slice $2,500 from the MSRP of all trim levels
Gasoline models of the Fusion have a $2,500 pricing incentive until Jan. 4.
with a cash incentive available until Jan. 4.
Also sold in three trim levels, the gasoline-electric Fusion Hybrid — with mileage
of 44 mpg city and 41 highway — has starting
prices of about $26,000-$32,000, but another
incentive available until Jan. 4 drops the
price by $3,250.
The gasoline-electric, plug-in Fusion
Energi is sold in two trim levels with starting
prices of $34,775 and $36,605 — but buyers
can lop off $6,257 with another incentive
until Jan. 4.
The plug-in Energi, with 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder and lithium-ion
battery pack, can be driven about 21 miles
on battery power before switching to a blend
of engine and electric motor.
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From the chairman of the
2016 San Diego
International
Auto Show
Greetings,
s the automotive industry
looks at a record sales year —
with 18 million cars anticipated being sold — it’s clear
that automakers are building vehicles
that people want to buy. It helps that
the economy is healthy and gas prices
remain at reasonable levels, too. But
things are a little different with the new
batch of cars, and that difference is
being driven by the wants of the next
generation of car buyers, the Millennials.
And despite reports claiming that
cars don’t have the same appeal to this
demographic, the reality is that the
object of desire has shifted. Instead of
powerful engines and the performance
that resonated with older generations,
the Millennials are more interested in
how cars interact with their technologies.
Millennials also count fuel economy
and CO2 emissions as factors in purchasing a vehicle, but the real driver is
how they can connect to the car. It’s not
that they don’t love cars, they simply
love them for different reasons. They
will love them at the 2016 San Diego
International Auto Show, running
Thursday, Dec. 31 to Sunday, Jan. 3 in
the San Diego Convention Center.
Automakers are listening to the
Millennials. In addition to increased fuel
efficiency and reduced emissions, vehicles are coming packed with the latest in
connectivity, so much so that older
buyers may need to have an interpreter
(a teenager) to assist in learning the
more complex operations. But not to
worry, basic operations are still fairly
intuitive.
The most fundamental shift is the
integration of so-called smart technology that will allow various devices,
internal and external, to communicate
with the car and each other. And because Milliennials live and communicate in a connected world, operating the
new connected car will be second nature. Google’s Android platform and
Apple’s iOS are already claiming real
estate in the center console, with the
A
some navigation systems already resembling the screen of your smartphone.
Don’t despair. Understanding and
adapting these technologies is possible,
and the first step is to attend the San
Diego International Auto Show. Some
500 of those tech-infused cars will be on
display during one of the West Coast’s
largest and most popular auto shows.
So grab the map. Plan your route.
And take it all in. Use this opportunity
to learn about the changing landscape
of automotive technology, and shop at
your leisure for your next car or truck.
You have 500 from which to choose!
On behalf of the entire team at the
2015 San Diego International Auto
Show, thank you for visiting. Enjoy the
show.
David Wolfson, Lexus San Diego
Chairman, 2016 San Diego
International Auto Show
2016 Honda Accord
BY MARK MAYNARD
H
The interior of both body
styles has enhanced fabrics
and trim elements.
Honda gave its 2016 Accord coupe and sedan “more expressive” front and rear styling.
cluding running lights and taillights on all models. For more
“personalization,” there is a bigger
choice of larger wheels and tires.
Smartphone users can now bring
their apps and music into the car
via Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto.
Engine and transmission
choices carry-over with a 185horsepower, direct-injection 2.4liter four-cylinder and 278-hp,
3.5-liter V-6. Four-cylinder engines
are paired with a continuously
variable automatic and there is a
six-speed manual for either engine
and a six-speed automatic for V-6
models.
Starting prices for four-cylinder sedan models range from
about $23,000 for the LX with
six-speed manual to $31,000 for the
Accord EX-L with navigation and
Honda Sensing. V-6 sedans, standard with a six-speed automatic,
range from $31,400-$35,400; pricing
includes the $835 freight charge.
Coupe pricing ranges from
$24,600-$35,000.
With improved aerodynamics,
a new low-friction wheel bearing
and the reduced weight of the
sedan's aluminum hood, Honda
squeezed another 1-mpg from
four-cylinder CVT models. The
mileage champ is the LX sedan
with CVT at 27 mpg city, 37 highway and 31 mpg combined, on 87
octane. V-6 models with the sixspeed automatic are rated 21/34/
26.
Maynard is the automotive editor at the San
Diego Union-Tribune.
[email protected]
onda says it gave the 2016
Accord such a significant
updating that it will seem
like an all-new car to
those driving a sedan or coupe
from 2013-2015.
The bones of the redesign focus
on a more rigid body, new front
and rear styling and interior refinement. Also added was a topline Coupe Touring model
($35,000) with more aggressive
styling than the sedan. It also gets
LED headlights and a new paint
choice, Deep Blue Opal Metallic.
Honda knows safety sells and
also has made its suite of Honda
Sensing technologies available as
a stand-alone option on all models. The system includes Collision
Mitigation Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision
Warning, Lane Keeping Assist,
Road Departure Mitigation and
adaptive cruise control.
Starting from the ground and
working up, the upgraded chassis
now has high performance shock
absorbers and retuned electric
power steering for more precise
response. A tighter chassis benefits interior quiet, handling and
fewer squeaks and rattles down
the road. A new Straight Driving
Assist technology helps reduce the
driver's workload when steering on
a crowned or canted road surface.
The front and rear ends have
“more expressive” styling (for
those buyers ready for a lease
trade-in), including an aluminum
hood for the sedan, a weightsaving upgrade from steel. There
is more use of LED lighting, in-
Sedan and coupe get a
major face-lift,
technologies
15
16
Ford
Family Day
A Sunday tradition of fun, family and Safety City
ord Family Day, sponsored by the San Diego Ford dealers, is an
open call for special activities and appearances for the kids. And
children 12 and younger will be admitted free to the auto show
when accompanied by a paid adult.
Returning this year will be Safety City, sponsored by the San Diego
Fire and Rescue Foundation. The mobile traffic safety course uses a
miniature city setting to simulate a typical traffic environment. The city
layout features streets, sidewalks, working traffic lights, traffic signs,
buildings and crosswalks to interactively teach children about traffic
safety. And the young drivers will learn the rules of the road from behind
the wheel of battery-powered Ford Mustangs.
Hours for Ford Family Day will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. A limited supply of
free tickets to the San Diego International Auto Show is available from
area Ford dealerships.
F
he auto show is integrating beacon
technology to give visitors a new
and engaging show experience, said
Kevin Leap, Director of the San
Diego International Auto Show. Using the
smartphone app, developed by San Diegobased Piper, automotive brands can deliver
new and cool mobile content to smartphones. The free-to-download app connects
to specialized messages and gives attendees
real-time updates about show events.
“Piper is all about discovering what is
around you,” Hanczor said. “Using iBeacon
technology, we can deliver highly engaging
content wherever you’re standing on the
show floor. Walking into exhibits by Ford,
Toyota or any of the participating brands,
T
Safety city will teach young drivers the rules of the road from behind the wheel of battery-powered Ford Mustangs.
Follow the iBeacon
Smartphone app gives real-time updates about show events
attendees can get specialized information in
the form of videos, exclusive offers and
innovative content that every automotive
fan will love.”
Through Piper’s platform, attendees can
also personalize the types of messages they
receive — to find the vehicles they are most
interested in, said Robert Hanczor, Piper’s
CEO. As an added incentive, every attendee
who downloads the San Diego Auto Show’s
Piper App will automatically be enrolled to
win a $500 gas card. Download the iPhone or
Android smartphone app at piper.ly/download
In addition to up-close content, the Piper
App will help attendees purchase tickets,
find their way around the show floor, get
important information about parking and
accommodations, connect with all of the
show exhibitors and direct attendees to the
test drive areas.
The Piper App also keeps a history of the
exhibits visited for reconnecting with the
vehicles after the show.
“Smartphones have become a natural
way for us to make the places we visit more
meaningful,” Leap said. “We’re planning a
fantastic event that will showcase the best
new automotive technology from around
the world. And we’re the perfect venue for
using proximity technology to connect
attendees with the brands and their latest
vehicles.”
Using the iBeacon app, showgoers can get specialized information in the form of videos, special offers and other innovative content.
17
2016 Camaro SS
18
Thorough redesign digs deep
for power, pleasure
BY MARK MAYNARD
With a chassis all its own now — and with
more aerodynamic testing than any previous Camaro — the re-engineered 2016 Camaro rides like a billet bullet — stiff and
sleek.
It was a clean-sheet redesign — a leaner
and a slightly smaller slipper now than the
Camaro5: 2.3 inches shorter, .08 inch narrower and 1.1 inches lower on a 110.7-inch
wheelbase that is 1.6 inches shorter.
The new coupe was put through a tender
There are many engaging design treatments inside and useful storage areas.
loving boot camp of revisions, with more
power to the standard 3.6-liter V-6 and the
6.2-liter V8 in the SS with six-speed manual
or optional eight-speed automatic transmissions. As before, it is rear-wheel drive
with four seats. A 275-hp, turbocharged
2.0-liter four-cylinder will be added by
spring when a soft-top convertible also goes
on sale.
Pricing starts at $26,695 for the base
335-hp, V-6 1LT and $37,395 for the Camaro
SS; pricing includes the $995 freight charge
from Lansing Grand Rapids, Mich. My 1SS
tester was $48,395 with the extras that most
enthusiasts would want. Even so, that price
is grand-theft auto for 0-60 acceleration in
4.3 seconds with average fuel economy of
21-24 mpg.
Must have SS options include the Magnetic Ride Control suspension ($1,695) and
dual-mode performance exhaust ($695).
The lovely, growly exhaust sound around
town settles down at speed with no annoying drone. And the magnetic ride is magic in
the SS. It sniffs at the road surface and
adjusts from comfy to sport-tuned in milliseconds. It never beats up occupants and
tracks flat like a race car, which inspires
confidence for control.
The body still has the brooding visage of
Darth Vader’s helmet, with its compromised sight lines, but there is so much more
that brings reward. It is a bimodal platform
The 2016 Camaro wears a galvanized badge of Chevrolet Racing engineering.
Starting prices range from about $27,000 to $50,000.
of pleasure for daily driving and weekend
slaloming.
There are many engaging design treatments inside and useful storage areas and
charging ports. The flat-bottom SS wheel
gives thigh space to the large and tall.
And there are some disengaging features. The foot box seemed narrow for quick
action with large shoes and the clutch and
brake pedals are not aligned for those who
still heel-toe shift.
If you’ve always liked the styling of the
Camaro, the 2016 is the one to get. But if you
got a deal on a 2015, just wait — there will be
more and better Camaro news to come.
2016 Chevrolet Colorado
The new benchmark for
midsize pickups
BY MARK MAYNARD
he new Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup is a
return to some sanity and
reduced parking lot anxiety. The extended-cab model is 18
inches shorter than the full-size
Silverado pickup, but still a capable workhorse with a 3,500 pound
tow rating, or up to 7,000 pounds
with the V-6.
The 2016 Colorado is sold in
extended- or crew cab body styles
with rear- or four-wheel drive, with
six-speed manual or automatic
transmissions and three engine
choices: 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter
four-cylinder; 305-hp 3.6-liter V-6;
and 181-hp, 2.8-liter four-cylinder
Duramax turbo diesel with 369
foot-pounds of torque at 2,000
rpm.
about $21,000, including the $875
freight charge from Wentzille, Mo.,
to $36,000 for the top-line Z71 4WD.
The diesel option adds about
T
Two new Colorado special editions are just on sale. The Z71 Trail Boss (right) gets the off-road
suspension package, beefier tires and a new "sport bar" with LED trail lighting. The Midnight
Edition, "evokes the aesthetic of an urban tuner vehicle,” Chevrolet says.
$4,000, but pushes towing capacity
to 7,700 pounds with estimated
highway fuel economy of 31 mpg.
It is a solid and well soundproofed rig with a range of passenger car conveniences. Cabin
comforts include a six-speaker
audio system with eight-inch color
touch screen and voice-activated
MyLink telematics, overhead
sunglass console, center armrest
storage console, carpeted floor
mats, lighted vanity mirrors, power windows-mirrors. There is a
Bluetooth-Pandora phone-audio
connection, satellite radio and
four USB ports.
Two special editions were just
added: the Z71 Trail Boss with the
off-road suspension package,
beefier tires and a new "sport bar"
with LED trail lighting. It also gets
17-inch black-finished aluminum
wheels, more pronounced fender
flares, a black bow tie grille badge
and spray-on bed liner.
The Colorado Midnight Edition "evokes the aesthetic of an
urban tuner vehicle," Chevy said in
a statement. Patterned after the
Silverado Midnight Edition, introduced last year, the Colorado
version is offered only in black,
with black-finished 18-inch aluminum wheels, grille and bow tie
emblem.
Both trucks will be available
with all three engine choices.
The new entries demonstrate
"the personalization that’s possible with Chevrolet accessories,
whether it’s for the street, trail or
both,” Tony Johnson, director of
truck strategy for Chevy, said in a
statement.
GM has strained to keep pace
with demand since the truck was
redesigned and reintroduced in
the fall 2014. Through this November, Chevy sold 76,521 Colorados in
the U.S.
The midsize GM pickups (including the GMC Canyon) are now
the benchmark for any redesigned
or new pickup to come to market.
And for the majority of pickup
intenders, the Colorado will get
the job done while treading a little
more lightly.
[email protected]
19
20
2016 SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL
AUTO SHOW
DEC 31 – JAN 3 SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
21
22
2016 Cadillac ATS-V
BY MARK MAYNARD
T
Interior features include smart entry
and push-button ignition, rearview
camera, and handcrafted cut-and-sewn
upholstery and trim.
The hyphenated V to the ATS pushes this 464-hp, twin-turbocharged V-6 into an
exalted realm of factory muscle cars.
perceptible catch-up of power at any rpm
and no gauzy vagueness to pedal feel common now on so many electric throttles. Fuel
economy is an acceptable for a sport sedan
— 6 mpg around town, 24 on the highway
and 19 mpg combined.
The magnetic ride control suspension is
almost magic in how it reads road conditions and responds with compliance and
adhesion. Around town, the ATS-V navigates broken roads, steep driveways and
speed barriers with gentle finesse. Handling
under pressure is flat and so is four-wheeldisc braking from beefy Brembos.
As a luxury sport sedan, these are suitable for the spouse who has children to drop
off and pick up at school. The coupe is the
sex jet with head-turning curb appeal. But
the sedan’s smaller doors are easy to live
with, particularly in tight parking situations.
he Cadillac ATS-V is a weekend
weapon of mass attraction and a
thoroughly accommodating daily
driver — a sprint car for the daily
commute.
This fat-fendered fist of fun originates
from the compact-class ATS sedan or coupe
— and then pushes limits.
The hyphenated V to the ATS pushes
this twin-turbocharged V-6 into an exalted
realm of factory muscle cars. It gets its
punch from the 464-horsepower, 3.6-liter
V-6. It is a sophisticated mill with directinjection and an eager 445 foot-pounds of
torque that pulls easily at launch and peaks
in the useful driving range of 3,500 rpm.
There is no turbo lag.
The coupe starts at $63,660, including
the $995 freight charge from Lansing, Mich.
Sedan pricing starts at a reasonable $61,460,
which can run to $75,000 with some tempting extras. Among them, the Track package
($6,195) with a low mass battery, carbon
fiber front splitter, air extractor, rear diffuser, composite (non-carbon) black rocker
extensions and body-color rear spoiler.
Recaro seats add $2,300 — and they are
reasonably bolstered for daily use. The
eight-speed automatic with magnesium
paddle shifters is $2,000.
The performance and design upgrades
are trickle down from Corvette racing and
bolster a no-questions sport sedan. Every
aperture in the hood and front quarter is
about cooling: the engine, turbo, oil and
brakes. There is a more aggressive front
splitter, taller rear spoiler and various spats
and deflectors to manage air flow — enabling a top speed of 189 mph and 0-60 mph
in about 3.9 seconds, says Cadillac.
The V-6 is sophisticated and lethal: direct-injection, twin-turbocharging with no
A friendly weapon of mass
attraction with four doors or two
23
2016 Buick Enclave
24
Modern and luxurious family
hub of comfort, connectivity
BY MARK MAYNARD
T
he debut of the Buick Enclave in
2007 turned the heads of motorists
to see this brand in a younger and
bolder light. The big and classy
crossover had handsome styling, just
enough chrome and luxurious appointments to move it higher on the consideration list of buyers. And it has gone on to
place well in the J.D. Power 2015 Dependability Study and also earned Kelley Blue
The interior has soft-touch materials,
real stitching and chrome accents
throughout.
Book’s 5-Year Cost to Own Award in 2015 in
its segment.
For 2016, Enclave focuses on finesse, style
and connectivity. New this year is the introduction of OnStar 4G LTE and a standard built-in Wi-Fi hot spot that will be a
handy mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hot spot can
connect up to seven devices — smartphones, laptops and tablets — to highspeed wireless Internet whenever the vehicle is on.
There are three new paint colors: Summit White, a no-cost choice, and premium
hues of Ebony Twilight Metallic and White
Frost Tricoat.
The large seven to eight passenger Enclave is sold in three trim levels — Convenience, Leather and Premium — in front- or
all-wheel drive with a 288-horsepower, 3.6liter V-6 engine (24 mpg on the highway)
and a 6-speed transmission. Starting prices
range from about $40,000 to $50,000. Included is Experience Buick Protection,
which adds free scheduled maintenance
services for two years or 24,000 miles to the
bumper-to-bumper coverage of fouryears/50,000-miles and six-years/70,000-mile
powertrain warranty.
Also new for 2016 is a more luxurious
Tuscan Edition named after the famed
fertile region in central Italy. The package
includes premium paint choices of White
The new Tuscan Edition adds a bronze waterfall grille, 20-inch chrome wheels
with bronze pockets and paint colors of White Frost Tricoat, Dark Chocolate
Metallic or Ebony Twilight Metallic.
Frost Tricoat, Dark Chocolate Metallic or
Ebony Twilight Metallic. The Tuscan
Bronze Package includes 20-inch chrome
wheels with bronze pockets and a waterfall
grille clad in bronze. Tuscan package pricing, depending on the trim level, ranges
from $995 for the Leather trim, $795 on the
Premium and $395 on Premium with Experience Buick Package.
Standard safety features include seven
air bags and the industry’s first standard
front center side air bag. It was developed to
help protect drivers and front passengers in
far-side impact crashes.
Interior highlights include:
• Heated wood-trimmed steering wheel
on Leather and Premium models
• Eight-way power driver seat with power recline and lumbar support on Convenience models. Leather and Premium models have eight-way adjustable driver and
passenger front seats.
• Heated front seats on Leather models;
heated and cooled seats on Premium models
2016 Buick Encore
Now with a turbo,
Touring model, stop-start
BY MIKE COLIAS
B
uick will look to keep sales
of the Encore small crossover hot with a new top
trim level featuring a more
powerful engine.
The Encore Sport Touring model is just on sale with a new 1.4-liter,
four-cylinder turbocharged engine
under the hood. That’s the same
displacement as the Encore’s lone
engine now, but the new motor is all
new as part of GM’s freshly
launched global small-engine family.
The new 1.4-liter turbo has 153
horsepower, which is 11 percent
higher than the Encore’s current
engine, Buick said. Torque is an
estimated 177 foot-pounds from
2,000-4,000 rpm, nearly 20 percent
greater.
The new engine is the same
engine that GM says will propel a
more powerful, more fuel-efficient
2016 Chevrolet Cruze when the
redesigned car goes on sale early
The new Buick Encore Sport Touring model debuts a 153-hp
1.4-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
next year.
Buick said the new Encore model gets better fuel economy, too,
partly from the addition of a stopstart at idle system. Front-wheel
drive models are rated 25 mpg city
and 33 highway, on 87 octane; AWD
models are rated 23/30. The fuel
tank is large for a subcompact at 14
gallons.
Sold in three trim levels, starting
prices range from $25,385 (including
the $925 freight charge) to $28,670.
Options include a power moonroof
($900) and rear cargo net and a
cargo mat for $60 each. Standard
equipment includes a flat folding
front passenger seat and 60/40 split
back seat, 10 air bags, six-way power
driver’s seat and six-speaker audio
system with hands-free phone
connectivity and streaming audio.
The Sport Touring model also
will get some of its own exterior
styling cues, including a new rear
spoiler and 18-inch, aluminum
wheels.
Since its launch in early 2013, the
Encore has been the workhorse in
Buick’s vehicle lineup. U.S. sales of
the crossover rose 29 percent
through June, following a 53 percent
surge in 2014.
Buick chief Duncan Aldred said
in an interview this month that GM
has boosted its production of Encores for the U.S. market by 50
percent, a bet that the demand for
the petite vehicle has legs.
“Encore is a driving force behind
Buick’s expansion and a catalyst for
introducing a new generation of
customers to the brand,” Aldred
said in a statement. “The all-new
Encore Sport Touring broadens
that base, giving customers more
choices.”
Colias writes for Automotive News.
Standard equipment includes
10 air bags, six-way power
driver’s seat and six-speaker
audio system with hands-free
phone connectivity and
streaming audio.
25
26
It’s positively electric
Electric Vehicle Day will
be Friday, Jan. 1
A
fter a positive reception
in its first year, Electric
Vehicle Day, sponsored
by San Diego Gas &
Electric, will make its return on
Jan. 1, 2016 at the auto show. The
highlight features the latest electric vehicle technology on the road
today.
Electric cars are growing in
numbers for several reasons: they
have amazing power, there are
many buyer incentives, the vehicles are as easy to charge as your
cellphone and are better for the
environment.
The energy that is provided by
San Diego Gas & Electric comes
from 33 percent renewable energy,
such as wind and sun, with none of
it coming from coal-fired power
plants. This means that when an
electric vehicle is plugged into the
grid in the San Diego region a third
of its power is fueled by the wind
and sun. SDG&E will also provide
EV drivers with a special electricity
rate that provides them the lowest
price for electricity when drivers
program their car to charge at
Show-goers will be able to learn about the assets and incentives for driving an EV in the EcoCenter.
night.
As for incentives, California will
give EV drivers up to $2,500 cash
for driving a car that plugs in and
all plug-in EV drivers are allowed
to drive in the carpool lane with no
other occupants in the vehicle. The
federal government will give plugin EV drivers up to $7,500 in a feder-
GEICO
Motorcycle
Pavilion
Features Paul Jr.-designed bike,
#13 Casey Mears NASCAR racer
A
s a proud partner and sponsor with the San Diego
International Auto Show, GEICO will show it
knows how to roll with its crowd-stopping motorcycle pavilion — plus one.
Look for the Paul Jr. Designs custom chopper and for the
first time, a racecar will share the space: the #13 Casey
Mears GEICO NASCAR Chevrolet.
GEICO’s local event team will be available to answer
questions, give away great promotional items and raffle off a
$200 VISA gasoline card. And if your phone needs a quick
charge, you can plug in at one of two charging stations in the
exhibit.
So get your motor running and catch the excitement at
the San Diego International Auto Show.
See the gecko-green Paul Jr. Designs chopper in the GEICO pavilion.
al tax credit.
With more than 24 models of
electric cars on the road, there is a
car for every lifestyle. All-electric
cars require no gas and no oil
changes. Plug-in hybrid EVs have
both gasoline and a plug to allow
an unlimited driving range. All EVs
come with a cord to charge via a
standard household 120-volt plug.
Drivers also have the option to
install a charging station that will
cut their charge time in half, or to
use one of 1,000 public charging
stations in the San Diego region.
“I’ve been driving an all-electric
car for four years and I love it!” said
April Bolduc, a plug-in electric
vehicle program manager at
SDG&E. “My car goes 90 miles and
I often don’t charge it every day
because I don’t drive that far every
day. I program my car to charge at
night so I can take advantage of
SDG&E electric vehicle rate.”
When Bolduc is out and about
and her car needs a charge she
uses a smartphone app called
Plugshare. It tells her where she is
and where the closest charging
station is.
There are many reasons to
consider driving an electric car
and the ThinkBlue EcoCenter at
the San Diego International Auto
Show will be an ideal environment
to learn about the benefits.
27
28
GMC Sierra Elevation
BY MARK MAYNARD
T
Standard equipment includes remote
locking, power side mirrors and windows, USB ports, trailer sway control
and hefty four-wheel disc brakes.
The Elevation package adds nearly $4,000 in style and conveniences to dress up a
fairly basic Sierra.
your shotgun rider. A spray-on bed liner
would add $475.
The engine upgrade seemed like a smart
move. Acceleration is strong and the sixspeed shift points keep the power flowing.
Fuel economy is decent for a 5,102-pound
pickup — 16 mpg city, 23 highway and 19
mpg combined, on 87 octane. I was averaging 19.6-20 mpg and expect it could have
continued to climb with more commuting
miles. (The 2WD 4.3-liter is rated 18/24 mpg
city/highway).
It is almost dumbfounding how smooth
rolling and quiet the cabin is. It just calls out
for a road trip with three of your best buds.
The Elevation will appeal to young, gainfully
employed truck enthusiasts and to families
who need a dual-duty vehicle for those times
of show and go.
2016 GMC Terrain
Updated styling,
enhanced features,
Denali model
BY MARK MAYNARD
T
errain is GMC’s secondhighest selling vehicle,
after the Sierra pickup,
with about half of customers new to the brand. It also attracts the brand’s highest rate of
female buyers: 44 percent — and
they cite Terrain’s styling as their
top reason for purchase.
New for 2016 are resculpted
front and rear fascias, more safety
equipment and other tweaks.
Among the cosmetic updates are a
new “power dome” hood, LED
daytime running lights on uplevel
models, new wheels and a revised
instrument panel that features a
new storage shelf.
The compact-class, five passenger Terrain is sold in four trim
levels in front- or all-wheel-drive
models with powertrain choices of
a 182 horsepower, 2.4-liter four
cylinder or 301-hp,3.6-liter V-6,
The 2016 Terrain has new front and rear fascias, more safety
equipment and other tweaks.
both with six-speed automatic
transmissions.
$26,870 (including a $1,250 current
cash incentive) to about $37,000 for
the Denali AWD; pricing include
the $925 freight charge. Upgrading
to the V-6 adds $1,900, which includes 18-inch wheels and dualexhaust tips.
Denali upgrades include a
chrome grille, body-color fascias,
satin-chrome accents, special
headlight and taillight designs.
The interior has a soft-touch Jet
Black leather lining the seats and
door inserts with contrast stitching, a soft-touch instrument panel
and leather-wrapped steering
wheel with smoked mahogany
wood accents.
Safety features include four-
wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak
electronic stability control and
traction control and six standard
air bags. And advanced technologies include Side Blind Zone
Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert,
Rear Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure
Warning.
For those with an active lifestyle, there are numerous accessories to strap down gear. Among the
choices are a Thule roof basket
($309), hitch-mounted bike carriers ($269 for two bikes or $299 for
four), a roof-mounted ski carrier
($214) and a selection of canoekayak-paddle board carriers costing $119-$189.
Other 2016 updates include:
• Chrome-accented grille designs for SLE, SLT and Denali —
including tri-segment grille on
Denali
• LED daytime running lamps
on uplevel models
• 18-inch aluminum wheel
design offered on non-Denali
models; new 19-inch aluminum
wheel design for Denali
• Premium seat fabric now
standard on SL and SLE models
• New Saddle Up leather interi-
or available on SLT
• New Light Titanium/Jet
Black interior combination offered
on Denali
• Front passenger eight-way
power-adjustable seat offered on
SLT (previously available only on
Denali)
The Terrain competes in a full
segment with choices including
the Nissan Rogue, Ford Edge,
Dodge Journey, Honda CR-V,
Toyota RAV4 and others.
[email protected]
The interior was updated with
a revised instrument panel
“center stack” with a new
storage shelf and updated
control graphics.
he GMC Sierra Elevation cleans up
real nice for a Saturday night on the
town.
It’s a monochromatic paint and
trim treatment for a genuine, full-size halfton pickup. And even with 20-inch wheels, it
is fully functioning for work — not dumbeddown to be street cool.
Sold only in a double-cab body style,
Elevation Edition pricing starts at about
$35,000 for a 2WD model with the 285 horse-
power, 4.3-liter V-6. Or upgrade to the 355hp, 5.3-liter V-8 for $1,095. Both engines use
a six-speed automatic. Four-wheel drive
adds around $4,000 depending on the engine choice. The Sierra is built in Fort
Wayne, Indiana.
The Elevation package adds nearly
$4,000 in style and conveniences to a fairly
basic Sierra. It is sold in four colors — black,
silver or red metallic and white — with all
exterior trim in body color. The package
includes such extras as 20-inch alloy wheels
painted black, automatic locking rear differential, halogen headlights and LED running
lights, front fog lights, deep-tinted glass,
audio upgrade and a 110-volt household
plug.
Standard equipment includes the necessities, such as remote locking, power side
mirrors and windows, USB ports, trailer
sway control and hefty four-wheel disc
brakes (13-inch vented rotors front, 13.6inch vented rear). The audio system is also a
4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, with a threemonth/3GB trial (whichever comes first),
GMC IntelliLink with color display and
Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
If it were my truck, I’d also add the factory options for the Borla (cat-back) performance exhaust ($1,249) and the Borla exhaust
tip ($189). I also recommend the rearview
camera for $200 and a driver assist handle
for $80 and another $50 if you want one for
Ready for show and go
29
Camp
Jeep
thrill ride
30
Jeep’s indoor off-road
experience an interactive
adventure zone
J
eep will be back at the show to bring
the outdoors inside with Camp Jeep,
an interactive, off-road experience.
The 40,000-square-foot exhibit inside
the convention center will give auto show
attendees a chance to experience the extreme off-road capabilities of Jeep vehicles
without leaving the show floor. The rides are
given by skilled Jeep drivers and all participants have to do is hold on and take selfies.
It’s quite a view from the top of the big “hill”
18 feet at the crest.
“We have created this unique auto show
opportunity to provide our customers with a
memorable experience that no other manu-
Showgoers register for a run through Camp Jeep.
facturer can offer,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, FCA US.
The course has obstacles that simulate
some of the testing that Jeep vehicles endure before customers get behind the wheel.
There are sections to test ground clearance,
traction, stability, wheel travel and the rest
of the suspension.
Product specialists will chauffeur participants in the subcompact Jeep Renegade
Trailhawk, compact Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (the fourdoor model), Wrangler Rubicon and Grand
Cherokee.
The 35-degree ascent up Jeep Mountain
puts riders about 22 feet off the ground at
the top. New this year is the Trail Rated
Pass, which demonstrates “articulation”
while three-wheeling over the 50 foot long,
8-foot tall obstacle with its uneven ramps
set at a 25 percent incline. The track also
includes a section of terrain simulating
fallen logs and a 30-degree wedge with its
straight up or straight down views as the
Jeeps navigate the course. All this in about
five minutes.
At Camp Jeep you will find the Jeep Kids
Course, where youngsters get behind the
wheel of battery-powered Jeeps. There’s
also a 25-foot climbing wall and the Jeep
0-60 Challenge where guests have 60 seconds to complete a Jeep-themed task.
Participating riders will be entered into
the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles U.S. National
Giveaway for a chance to win $45,000 toward
any eligible FCA US vehicle and receive a
souvenir e-Photo of their ride. Test-ride
participants 17 years and younger must be
accompanied by a parent or guardian and
be at least 44 inches tall.
Ally
Auto Alley
Financial sponsor stages digital design exhibit
A
lly Financial returns as a sponsor
of the auto show and will showcase
the Ally Auto Alley. It is an interactive digital exhibit where show
attendees can design their own virtual car.
They can then submit their designs for a
chance to win a trip to Cancun, Mexico.
“Bringing the innovative digital experience of the Ally Auto Alley to the show helps
generate consumer interest and excitement
around new cars, which is great for our
dealers in the San Diego area,” said Andrea
Riley, chief marketing officer at Ally.
31
Golden Boy Mobility showcases innovative
transportation choices
The auto show is all about wheels, including those found on wheelchairs and scooters. The latest in this
technology will be featured in the Mobility Zone.
Mechanics of emotion
Alfa Romeo displays
for the first time
T
he 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan
embodies Alfa Romeo’s La meccanica delle emozioni (the mechanics of
emotion) to deliver race-inspired
performance, advanced technologies and
seductive styling. Assembled largely by
hand in the Cassino plant in Italy, the allnew Giulia Quadrifoglio features a Ferrari
derived, 505-horsepower bi-turbo V-6 engine. It is Alfa Romeo’s most powerful production car engine ever and uses cylinder
deactivation and carbon fiber active aero
front splitter for improved handling at high
speeds. Ultralight, high-strength materials
include a carbon fiber drive shaft, hood, roof
and more. The carmaker says the Giulia has
best-in-class power-to-weight ratio, a near
perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution
and is capable of a class-leading acceleration to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.
The 2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan uses a Ferrari-derived 505-horsepower, bi-turbo V-6 engine.
T
he Mobility Zone, sponsored by Poway-based Golden
Boy Mobility, will feature vehicles of all types that have
been modified for motorists with physical challenges.
In the display will be:
• Multiple styles of adapted vans
• A new Dodge Promaster van with a 12-foot ramp that
folds out of the back
• A Chevy Silverado pickup adapted to open from the side
to allow easier driver entry and exit.
• Two adapted vehicles provided by the Paralyzed Veterans Association, a Datsun 510 vintage race car (as seen on
track at the Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival) and a new
Corvette
• An off-road vehicle with hand controls.
• A classic car that has been modified with hand controls.
Also featured will be a range of mobility equipment and
accessories, such as wheelchairs with special adaptations,
and a seated Segway.
“We are proud to again partner with The San Diego International Auto Show,” said Sean Peterson, Golden Boy
Mobility’s sales and marketing director. “We appreciate that
show organizers are dedicated providing awareness and education about what is available to the physically challenged by
hosting The Mobility Zone. Many people don’t know what type
of vehicle or equipment is out there and how that can help
them with their mobility, providing them with the freedom
and ability to Go. Be. and Live.”
No limits
Mobility Zone
32
Dodge Challenger driving
simulator allows "driving"
in a safe, fun and virtual
environment
San Diego is among the first auto shows in the country to feature the new “Dodge Challenger Challenge” simulator.
To your health
Scripps will offer free health screenings, eating
tips and Covered California information
S
cripps Health will be
back on the show floor
with its 40-foot-long,
blue Scripps Mobile
Medical Unit. Now in its ninth
year at the show, Scripps will
offer free screenings, giveaways
and information on healthy
eating. The staff can also help
educate about health coverage
through Covered California.
Open enrollment for Covered
California runs through Jan. 31.
This year, Scripps is partnering with the American Red
Cross of San Diego/Imperial
Counties and supporting a
blood drive on Saturday, Jan. 2.
Look for the 40-foot-long blue Scripps Health bus on the show floor.
Blood donations tend to run low
during the winter, but the need
remains high at hospitals,
where adequate blood supplies
are required to help save the
lives of accident and trauma
victims and to treat other patients.
Auto Show visitors who stop
at the Scripps booth will be
eligible for a drawing to win a
Fitbit wireless activity and sleep
tracker as well as a fitness-ready
hula hoop. While learning about
healthy foods, visitors can taste
some supercharged cuisine
prepared by healthy cooking
expert Chef Palma Bellinghieri.
D
riving a simulator allows
auto show participants to
get in and “drive” vehicles in
a safe, fun and virtual environment. Drivers can compete on a
racetrack or drive in a custom, virtual world using the vehicle’s actual
steering wheel, pedals, shifter and
gauges. San Diego is among the first
auto shows in the country to feature
the new “Dodge Challenger Challenge” simulator. What makes the
experience unique is that the vehicle
moves — up, down, left, right, forward and back — and is synchronized with the action happening on
the screen. This allows the driver and
passengers to be immersed in the
experience. The vehicle moves and
shakes based on engine revolutions,
road texture and impacts. And the
action happens often as participants
compete to place their names on the
live leader board. In some cases
prizes are handed out to the top 10
drivers. Are you ready to take the
Challenger Challenge?
Take the Dodge Challenger Challenge
33
34
Car buyer’s checklist helps sort good, bad, ugly
BY MARK MAYNARD
B
The auto show is a sprawling research
site, but taking a few notes will help
shoppers remember one red car from
another. Snap a cellphone photo of
each car and its information placard.
And it also may help to bring a tape
measure to the show.
ed headliner. Does the visor slide, is it deep
enough or is there an extender?
How usable is that third row in the minivan or large crossover?
If cargo space is a priority, how broad is
the opening and how long is the space with
the second or third row folded? How will
your bicycle or other gear fit? Is it a big lift to
the trunk or cargo floor? Is the opening wide
or narrow? Is there basement storage, bag
holders, tie-downs? Are there seat back
releases in the cargo/trunk area?
Then rate the interior for the appearance
of materials — plastics, fabric, leather —
and the quality of construction, such as the
alignment of panels and perceived durability of parts and pieces.
The devil is in the details, so look for
those little things that will make your drive
more enjoyable.
I will be on site in the San Diego UnionTribune Lounge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. most
days. I’d rather offer vehicle suggestions
before you buy than have you ask me afterward what I think of your purchase.
Union-Tribune. [email protected].
uying a car or truck is one of the
most expensive purchases a gainfully employed consumer will make
— right up there with buying a
house and paying for college. If you are
considering a vehicle that will become part
of the family for three to 10 years or longer, it
makes sense to buy what you like and what
suits your lifestyle.
And for those ready to buy a new vehicle
soon, the auto show is the ideal research
site.
To keep shoppers on target, I’ve compiled a buyer’s checklist to help remember
the likes and dislikes of a vehicle. With 400
shiny cars on display, at the end of the day
they all start to look and smell alike, then
the question remains did we like the red
Honda or was it the red Kia?
The checklist has two parts: what you
evaluate on the floor and how you evaluate
the vehicle after a drive at the dealership.
And with ride-and-drives by 14 brands at
this show, taking notes becomes even more
valuable.
In every segment of vehicles there can be
as many as a 12 competitors — and few
people have the attention span or fortitude
to slide behind the wheel of every one. That’s
why it is important to take a few notes, jot
down figures, specifications and perceptions. Photocopy the form or just pick up a
few more auto-show programs and tear out
the checklist.
The list contains some of the features I
consider when writing a vehicle evaluation
— and the points of interest will vary according to the type of vehicle, particularly for
minivans or pickups.
Snap a cellphone photo of each car tested. And it also may help to bring a tape
measure. Many of the cars on display will
not be plugged in and powered, so it will be
difficult to check seating position and other
electronic features. But note the desirable
features, such as how many ways adjustable
is the driver’s seat? Two, four, 14? Does the
seat bottom adjust separately? Lumbar will
be important to some as are heated or
cooled seats.
Assess the space. How is the entry and
exit? What is the step-in height? Does it feel
cramped or airy? Tight elbow room? How
wide do the doors open?
Check the access to controls and switches (ergonomics). How are the sightlines at
the side mirrors, over the hood and over the
shoulder? If they are compromised, is there
a rearview camera, which can help mitigate
the blind spots of swoopy styling, such as in
the new Camaro.
Check the visors for coverage — many
are compromised to fit neatly into the mold-
35
Resist the red mist — make
informed buying decisions
36
The ‘symphony’ will play 20minute gigs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
every day in the U-T Lounge.
The band is back
Car Parts Symphony tuned up and ready to rock
P
resented by the San Diego Automotive Museum, the Car
Parts Symphony will be back with new instruments (made
from more car parts), new musicians and music.
Its junkyard grunge debut was last year and the craftsmanship of the instruments is inspired and the talent of the musicians brought waves of applause. The Car Parts Symphony was the
inspiration of Paula Brandes, executive director of the San Diego
Automotive Museum. Brandes, a musician herself, recruited local
musicians to create and play the instruments.
“It’s quite an array of — ahem — instruments,” said Brandes.
But instruments they are, and they deliver a surprisingly refined
sound.
The instruments and their former shapes are:
• Drums made from wheel rims and gas tanks
• Marimba made from radiator hoses
• Horn made from a tail pipe
• Two electric guitars made from hub caps
• Bass made from a gas tank
• Steel Drum made from hub caps
Last year, the troupe played original music composed by local
rock musician, Patrick Beers.
“The Car Parts Symphony was received so enthusiastically last
year that the musicians were delighted to come back for another
year,” she said.
The troupe will be staged again in the San Diego Union-Tribune
lounge space (between Honda and Subaru). They will play 20minute gigs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day.
Park it and take a load
off at the U-T Lounge
T
he San Diego Union-Tribune
lounge returns to the show in
the same central location as
the last few years. We’ll have
some comfy furniture groupings with
couches, loveseats, chairs, belly bars
and tables with chairs. Take a break
and watch some college football on
two big-screen TVs.
Sears is a new partner for our
lounge and will display a variety of
home appliances. Reps also will be
able to explain the money-saving
“Shop Your Way” rewards program.
Our contest this year will be to
guess the number of keys. Sears will
provide the grand prize and second
and third runners-up will win $250
gas cards.
And while kicking back in our
10,000-square-foot lounge, there will
be music and massage chairs.
Three certified massage technicians will be back to rub the knots
from necks, shoulders and backs —
$1 a minute. And the Car Parts Symphony will be back with more music
and more musicians. The band will
be staged in our lounge and will
perform at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Hot car treasure hunt
37
Among the 400 cars on the show floor are some new lightning rods
BY MARK MAYNARD
O
The 350-hp Ford Focus RS.
2016 VW Dune.
Acura’s new halo, the 2017 NSX supercar goes on sale this spring with a starting price of $157,800.
2017 Porsche 911.
Buick Cascada, $34,000.
Jaguar F-Pace.
presence highlighted by the midlifecycle refresh of the 2017 911
Carrera Coupe. It features new
twin-turbo engines, a new infotainment system, improved
suspension and brakes and new
styling.
BMW is back strong with such
driving machines as the M4 coupe,
650i convertible, new 750Li xDrive
sedan and the futuristic i8 plug-in
hybrid. Corporate partner Mini
will show the new Clubman and
the new convertible.
Volkswagen will have the Beetle
Dune Convertible and new Passat.
The Dune recalls the Baja Bug and
will have more aggressive exterior
styling, new bumpers, side moldings, special wheel designs and
raised ground clearance.
Buick will show the 2016 Cascada, its first convertible offered
in North America in 25 years. The
four-seat Cascada has an insulated soft top that opens in 17 seconds at speeds up to 31 mp. It gets
a 200-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged
four-cylinder engine and six-speed
automatic transmission.
Jaguar is a good supporter and
will display the upcoming XE
midsize sedan and F-Pace fiveseat crossover. The all-wheel-drive
F-Pace goes on sale later this year
in six trim levels with two supercharged V-6 engine choices and a
new 180-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder diesel with 318 footpounds of torque from 1,750-2,500
rpm. Starting prices will range
from about $41,000 to $57,000.
Kia will show the SEMA A1A
Optima and the all-new 2017
Sportage.
engine is a mid-mounted, twinturbocharged, 3.5-liter DOHC V-6
augmented by a Twin Motor Unit
driving the front wheels. Total
system peak output is estimated
at 573 hp — 500 hp from the gasoline engine and 73 hp from the
TMU. A new nine-speed dual
clutch transmission routes the
flow of power.
Acura announced this month
that pricing will start at $157,800
and top out at $207,500, including
the $1,800 freight charge from
Marysville, Ohio.
The first serial production
NSX, VIN 001, will be auctioned
the last week of this month at the
Barrett-Jackson collector car
auction in Scottsdale, Ariz. All
proceeds will go to a pair of children's charities: the Pediatric
Brain Tumor Foundation and
Camp Southern Ground, which is
a project of Grammy Award-winning artist Zac Brown.
This is Acura’s first build-toorder vehicle, with customer orders to begin Feb. 25. Buyers can
select from eight paint colors and
four interior color schemes available in three different seating
surface options. There also are
choices for several exterior and
interior features, including three
wheel designs with painted or
polished finish, carbon-ceramic
brake options, a carbon fiber
interior sport package and carbon
fiber roof.
[email protected].
Acura’s new halo
The 2017 Kia Sportage made
its public debut last month at
the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2017 NSX is an important
statement for Acura (luxury division of Honda) as it gets back to
being known for its cutting-edge
cars, not just as a maker of desirable crossovers.
Acura calls the new NSX an
all-wheel drive Sport Hybrid. Its
The new Mercedes-AMG G63,
$140,825.
ne of the star cars at the
San Diego International
Auto Show will be the
2017 Acura NSX supercar. It is one of just three cars to
date that Acura has to move
around to various public events.
Another one was the official pace
car the Rose Parade, representing
automotive sponsor Honda.
Acura sees the value in this
market to show its $200,000 new
halo. Thank you, Acura.
This show is an incredible
entertainment value for the $12
admission — though it will never
get the attention that manufacturers give the shows in Los Angeles,
Detroit, New York or Chicago. But
among the 400 or so vehicles on
the show floor will be some new
lighting rods.
Reporting in advance on which
ones, is the challenge. I’ve covered
this show for 20 years and have
learned that what rolls out of the
car hauler is often very different
from what the manufactures have
told me will be on display.
Here are a few, I’ve been assured, to seek out. What else appears will be the fun of the treasure
hunt.
Do not expect Ford’s upcoming
GT supercar — the skunk works
project with a 600-horsepower,
turbocharged V-6. But a close
second will be the 2016 Shelby
GT350 with its 526-horsepower
5.2-liter V-8. And with it will be the
2016 Ford Focus RS, the posterchild of hoonyism and loved round
the world as a high-powered,
tire-scrubbing all-wheel-drive drift
car. Ford Performance builds its
2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which is
expected to produce 350 hp and
350 foot-pounds of torque between
2,000 and 4,500 rpm.
Mercedes-Benz will be well
stocked with such hot rods as the
AMG GTS, G63 and C63 sedan.
Porsche will have a strong
2016 Toyota Prius
38
Redesign boosts mpg,
interior space
BY DAVID UNDERCOFFLER
T
he Toyota Prius, a household name
that has come to define hybrid cars
for nearly two decades, has been
reborn for 2016. The fourth-generation model is bigger, lighter and 10 percent
more fuel efficient than its predecessor. And
— rare for virtually any hybrid — fun to
drive.
The fuel efficiency gains resulted from
Sold in six trim levels, starting prices
range from $25,035 to $30,835.
smaller and lighter components in the hybrid system, denser batteries that pack
more energy and a more efficient internal
combustion engine, Toyota said.
Just going on sale, the new Prius is sold in
six trim levels with starting prices that
range from $25,035 to $30,835, including the
$835 freight charge from Japan.
A new lithium-ion hybrid battery is standard on uplevel models with the nickelmetal hydride battery carrying over on the
Prius Two non-Eco. Fuel economy ratings
for the 2016 model with lithium-ion battery
are 58 mpg city, 53 highway and 56 mpg
combined, on 87 octane fuel. The non-Eco
model has ratings of 54/50/52. The outgoing
2015 Prius had mileage ratings of 51/48/50
mpg.
The new Prius is the first vehicle from
Toyota to ride on the company’s all-new
modular platform that will underpin future
models such as the Corolla and Camry.
The new platform gives the retooled
Prius a lower center of gravity for better
handling. The car is also 2.4 inches longer,
0.6 inches wider, and 0.8 inches lower than
the Prius before it. The changes mean more
occupant and cargo room, Toyota said.
The Prius also has an all-new rear double
wishbone suspension and more rigid body
to improve ride and driving dynamics.
The hatchback profile carries over but
the 2016 version wears aggressively styled
The re-engineered 2016 Toyota Prius is 2.4 inches longer, 0.6 inches wider and 0.8
inches lower than the outgoing model.
sheet metal — especially in the rear — which
echoes Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car.
The newest styling will still distinguish
the Prius from anything else on the road.
The unique looks will have plenty of
existing owners to please. Not only does the
Prius have some of the best name recognition in the green-car world, but it also
enjoys some of the most loyal customers in
the industry, according to Edmunds.com.
With more than 3.5 million sales since its
Ride &
Drives
Test dozens of vehicles
from 14 brands
T
here will be 14 ride-anddrive opportunities staged
in and around the convention center this year. Plan
your time to sample the best from
Jeep (Camp Jeep), Chevrolet,
Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Honda, KIA, Lincoln, Mazda, Nissan,
Ram, Subaru and Toyota.
“The Ride & Drive is the single
most effective tool we have to
educate our audience,” said Kevin
Leap, with the New Car Dealers
Association San Diego, which
presents the auto show. “Product
specialists educate the consumer
as they experience the features
and drivability of the car without
any sales pressure, giving them a
true appreciation for the vehicle.”
Dozens of new cars and trucks will be available to test.
debut in 1997, the Prius holds a healthy
audience.
The fourth-generation Prius is also
among the first Toyota products in the U.S.
to come with the optional Toyota Safety
Sense system, which packages safety features such as pre-collision braking with
pedestrian avoidance, lane departure warning and radar cruise control.
Undercoffler writes for Automotive News.
39
40

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