Drew Dowdell

Jesus.. Did I miss the ELR being brought up in a conversation ? It was a waste of time. Basically there should have never been an ELR, as beautiful as it is... especially when you had the new Voltec powertrain sitting in the wings getting ready to come out in the CT6. Fact is... ELR should have been the ATS coupe or sub ATS sports car with a normal power train. A PERSONAL LUXURY COUPE. Nice. The ATS Coupe is the ATS coupe. I get the impression from the cut-away model that I saw, that this system in the CT6 is pretty bulky. I'm not sure how well it will scale down to an ATS sized vehicle. CTS would probably be the smallest it can go. The reason for this is the battery size/shape.

There is no reason to being comparing the ELR to the CT6. The ELR, while good looking IMO, was a limited use vehicle because it was a coupe and coupes of all types are hard sells. The only compromise I can see in the CT6 is in the trunk space due to the battery.

Out with my Cadillac bud at the bar last night. He wouldn't give me a number, but I asked about it in context of the 3.0TT... as in higher or lower than that engine. It will cost more than the 3.0TT. And when you think about it... why wouldn't it? A twin turbo V6 costs a lot less to make than a new twin-motor hybrid transmission and a Voltec size battery.

They won't. They already were working on this car and then gave it to Fiat instead. Alfa is apparently getting their own platform.

Don't quote me on this, but I believe I remember something about the PHEV being offered only in the upper two trims. So that will bump the price up a bit.

When the Cadillac CT6 was originally shown in the US back in March, we only saw the standard gasoline models while the plug-in hybrid was shown in Shanghai. Cadillac brought it to the LA Auto Show with some updated information. First, let's review some information about the CT6 Plug-In. The Cadillac CT6 Plug-In uses the same type of liquid cooled batteries found in the Chevrolet Volt. It packs the same number of them as well, 192 cells. Unlike the Volt's T-shape battery configuration, the CT6's are stacked on top of each other directly over the rear axle. Naturally, total battery output also matches the Volt at 18.4 kWh of juice. This is more than double the battery capacity of the Mercede-Benz S550 Plug-In hybrid's 8.7 kWh. Cadillac says that recharging the CT6 from empty will take about 5 hours on 240v service depending on ambient temperatures. The electric drive part of the equation is handled by a new EVT (Electric Variable Transmission). The EVT has two 100 horsepower electric motors which, combined with power from the gasoline engine, channel power through three planetary gear sets via 5-clutches to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive will not be offered. Those of you who remember the details of GM's older 2-Mode hybrid system might recognize this setup and while the new EVT is not an evolution of that design, Cadillac did take lessons from the 2-mode when designing this system. The gasoline engine is a version of the 2 liter turbo 4-cylinder found in the base model CT6. Cadillac does not quote the output of the gasoline engine independently, stating only the combined system rating of 335 horsepower and 432 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 mph is expected to be about 5.3 seconds. Top speed in electric only mode is 75 mph while overall top speed is 150 mph. Cadillac says that the EPA estimated EV range for the CT6 will be about 30 miles and combined system fuel economy is estimated at 65 MPGe. These are favorable numbers compared to the S550e's EPA estimated ratings of 14 miles in EV mode and 58 MPGe. Drivers have three drive modes available. Normal and Sport are self-explanatory, while Hold tells the system to save battery power for use later. Like in the Cadillac ELR, the driver will be able to use paddles on the steering wheel to engage regen-on-demand, a sort of hand brake combined with battery recharging. Pricing for the 2016 Cadillac CT6 gasoline models was released two weeks ago, but pricing for the Plug-In hybrid is not yet available. The 2016 Cadillac CT6 goes on sale in March 2016 with the Plug-In hybrid going on sale later in the year. Source: Cadillac Media View full article

I think this is the biggest danger to the Escape because I bet that Kia will price it aggressively

That's why I don't like combining threads.

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The seats and door panels are both really nice but when I bring my eyes to the center stack, it just looks too much like the Fusion (plain jane looking) while the rest of the interior is five steps above that. Kind of messes with the cohesiveness of the rest of the interior to me. The whole interior wrap around from the doors to the dash has always screamed Fusion to me, because not only were some of the Ford's buttons carried over, but it's clear everything uses the same hard points. Vents, trim details, center stack, door paneling. It's like Chevy and GMC except everyone at Lincoln pretends it's not the same car underneath getting marked up to 3-series pricing. Now obviously that's an exaggeration, but the point is no true luxury brand allows mainstream underpinnings to show through so blatantly. I thought about this a bit and then went googling images just to see..... and you're right. On the MKZ/Fusion, there is just too much similarity... it looks like you could even take a door panel interior from one, swap it into the other, and the trim pieces would still line up perfectly. Compare this to the Avalon/ES and the dashboards are substantially different, even with screens and vents in different locations. The same goes for the Impala/LaCrosse/XTS... the hard points don't line up on any of them. The Chrysler LX sedans line up the same, but they shaped the dash differently enough so as to disguise it better. Put the two next to each other and the points match up, but there is just enough distinction in the shapes to matter.

All of GM's car platforms are going through substantial weight reductions

One thing I have to give Lincoln props for here is the interior, specifically the seats in the Black Label models. The level of craftsmanship they've put into those seats is fantastic. They would absolutely be at home in a Designo trimmed Mercedes-Benz.

Better than the new Sentra and current Corolla, not as good as the new Cruze and Civic.

Gross v. Net

Same penalty box, now with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

I kinda wonder what pricing is going to be like. They'd have a hard time making it a premium price over the Miata because of the Fiat badge I would think.

I actually really like it. For me, the Miata has always check all the right boxes for the engineering, but in all versions including the current one, I could never get into the styling of it. Also, this is likely to be the most reliable model in the Fiat lineup by far.

Mitsubishi gives the Outlander Sport a last minute makeover for 2016. The move updates the Outlander Sport to more closely resemble its big brother the Mitsubishi Outlander. Under the new do, the Outlander Sport's hardware carries over. On the inside, there is a new steering wheel and an updated infotainment 6.1 inch screen. No word on an official on-sale date, but we have to assume it will be soon as it is a 2016 model year. Mitsubishi Press Release on Page 2 Source: Mitsubishi Media You can follow all of our coverage of the 2015 LA Auto Show here or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ DYNAMIC DESIGN ENHANCES MITSUBISHI MOTORS SALES LEADER: MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT UPDATED FOR 2016 125] · 2016 Outlander Sport adds bold, sleek exterior design elements with Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” front design concept 125] · Interior enhancements add stylish accents to further Outlander Sport’s value CYPRESS, Calif. Nov. 18, 2015 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today unveiled the updated 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport featuring a newly redesigned, bold exterior front fascia/grille. The brand’s best-selling CUV is now equipped with Mitsubishi’s “Dynamic Shield” front design concept adding a sleek, audacious element to a vehicle that already makes a statement of its own. “The Outlander Sport is a brand leader for Mitsubishi Motors, and we are excited to unveil this eye-catching 2016 model-year,” said MMNA executive vice president, Don Swearingen. “The Outlander Sport has always been a fun vehicle that delivers on its promise of reliability and value, and the 2016 model year continues to do so with a great new family look that unifies the Mitsubishi CUV lineup.” In addition to the new exterior design, the 2016 Outlander Sport is equipped with new power folding side mirrors with LED turn indicators, wheel lip moldings, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink® and a new 18-inch alloy wheel design. Also new to the vehicle this year are three new exterior colors: Cool Silver, Diamond White Pearl and Quartz Brown. The Outlander Sport further develops its interior with a redesigned steering wheel, new 6.1” Display Audio, high quality seat fabrics and a new light gray interior option. Staying true to its value-driven roots, the 2016 model-year has a starting MSRP of $19,595 and is supported by Mitsubishi’s phenomenal warranties: fully transferable 5-year/60,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty; 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty; 7-year/100,000 mile anti-corrosion perforation limited warranty and a 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance. The Outlander Sport has a multitude of safety features including an advanced seven air bag SRS system and Mitsubishi Motors’ patented Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) safety cell body construction. For more information on the redesigned 2016 Outlander Sport please visit media.mitsubishicars.com and be sure to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube. View full article

Mitsubishi is updating the Mirage economy hatchback for 2017. It gets a refreshed exterior along with some interior and technology updates. Likely the most important change to buyers will be the addition of Android Auto and Apple Car play in the infotainment system. With the addition of these two technologies, buyers have an inexpensive way to add features like Navigation and Apps to their car, features that are not often found in vehicles at the Mirage's low price point. The exterior changes are light with an updated front end and rear bumper. The 3-cylinder engine remains the only power plant, but with a slight bump in power to 78 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. The suspension and brakes have been upgraded for better performance. The 2017 Mirage goes on sale in the spring of 2016. You can follow all of our coverage of the 2015 LA Auto Show here or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Source: Mitsubishi Media Press Release on Page 2 THE 2017 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE: NEW EXTERIOR DESIGN AND ADDED PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENTS · The new Mitsubishi Mirage continues to deliver outstanding fuel economy · 2017 Mirage will feature Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ · Attractive pricing and 10-year warranty distances the competition CYPRESS, Calif. Nov. 18, 2015 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today announced details for the fuel-efficient 2017 Mitsubishi Mirage featuring a new exterior design, improved performance and enhanced interior appeal. Despite all that is new for Mirage in 2017, a few things didn’t change at all—Mirage still offers impressive fuel economy, attractive pricing and industry leading new vehicle and powertrain warranties. The Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback will be available at dealers in spring 2016. “Mirage has gained popularity with its affordable and practical appeal,” said Don Swearingen, executive vice president, MNNA. “Mirage owners are looking for a vehicle that does its job well and is reliable. The Mirage continues to deliver all of those attributes, and the improvements to the 2017 model year will expand the Mirage’s appeal even more.” The changes for the 2017 model year are led with the new exterior design. Mirage receives a fresh new look with redesigned hood, grille, front and rear bumper, fog and headlamps, rear spoiler and wheels. The exterior styling was given purpose, with an aerodynamic design to maximize fuel-efficiency and a simple, restrained form to help reduce weight, creating a car in which form and function come together. Inside, Mirage receives a design update with new seat fabrics, gauge cluster, steering wheel and shift panel. In addition, a new 300-watt Rockford-Fosgate™ audio system with EcoPunch™ is available with Smartphone Link Display Audio, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, the first Mitsubishi vehicle to get these popular infotainment systems in the U.S. The 2017 Mirage continues to utilize a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder DOHC engine featuring the latest version of Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) variable valve-timing system that maximizes fuel efficiency and power output while greatly minimizing exhaust emissions. With the addition of a roller-type camshaft, Mirage increases its horsepower to 78 horsepower and 74 lb-ft torque. Mirage’s handling and brakes are improved for 2017 as well. Optimizing the spring rate and damping force of the shock absorbers while adding stiffness to the front end achieve handling and stability improvements. In addition, bigger diameter brake discs (251 mm) are used in the front and the rear brake drums (203 mm) have increased 23 millimeters. The brake pad/shoe material has also been changed for even better stopping performance. Every 2017 Mirage comes equipped with a wide array of safety features and technologies. These include a seven air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) comprised of dual front air bags, dual front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, dual side-impact curtain air bags, and a driver’s knee air bag; 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); and Active Stability Control (ASC) with Traction Control Logic (TCL). Mirage models equipped with the continuously-variable transmission-equipped (CVT) also include Hill Start Assist (HSA). For more information on the redesigned 2017 Mirage please visit media.mitsubishicars.com and be sure to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube. View full article

That turbocharged skyactive though.....

I'm with Paolino on the LaCrosse's exterior. Something just seems off and I can't put my finger as to why. I think I need to see this car in person. It's what i feared from seeing the teaser, the teaser looked 'off', this reveal confirms it. It's a Chinese car. This misses 'Buick'. This is a retrograde step from the current LaCrosse. It's off the same way the Envision is off. This has equal flavor Acura ILX kick line and 1st gen Hyundai Ajera kick line in the back. Greenhouse is generic, not rakish like previous gen. There is no 'sweepspear' present. Front grille looks clumsy, are we back to dowdy LeSabre days? Tailights are nice. What does this bode for the Regal? At least we know the Regal won't be on a 116" wheelbase. A ford Flex like Buick would be great on this wheelbase. Interior is not bad even with some of the higher end Kia / Hyundai vibe. It's pretty clear to me there is no North American styling flavor assigned to Buick anymore. I see literally zero of what you're seeing, but I've seen the car in person.

This is an interesting option.